Senate Armed Services Committee approves Mattis 'waiver'

The Senate Armed Services Committee today voted 24-3 in favor to support a measure that amends existing law to allow retired Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis to serve as defense secretary though he has not been out of uniform for at least seven years.

Three senators voted against the measure: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), the committee's ranking Democrat, voted in favor of Mattis, but said he should be considered a "once-in-a-generation" exception. Previously, only George Marshall during the Truman administration was granted a similar exemption.