Senate Armed Services Committee approves Mattis nomination

The Senate Armed Services Committee convened in closed session today and voted 26-1 to approve the nomination of retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to be the next defense secretary, according to a statement from the committee.

Mattis' nomination now moves to the full Senate for confirmation.

This is not the first time the committee has taken early action on a prospective nomination from an incoming president.

On Jan. 19, 2001, the committee favorably reported the nomination of Donald Rumsfeld to be defense secretary, the statement reads.