US CONGRESS HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP JIM CLYBURN (SC) CONGRATULATES SECRETARY AUSTIN ON HISTORIC CONFIRMATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 22, 2021

CONTACT:

Hope Derrick, Hope.Derrick@mail.house.gov, 202-226-3210

Erica Loewe, Erica.Loewe@mail.house.gov

__________________________________________________________________

MAJORITY WHIP JIM CLYBURN (SC) CONGRATULATES SECRETARY AUSTIN ON HISTORIC CONFIRMATION

___________________________________________________________________

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today issued the following statement on the confirmation of retired 4-star Army General Lloyd Austin as the Biden Administration Secretary of Defense.

"Today the historic Biden-Harris Administration made history again. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to General Lloyd Austin on his historic confirmation as Secretary of Defense by an overwhelming bipartisan vote. He is the leader the Pentagon needs and I know he will protect our nation’s security and make all Americans proud.

“The upper ranks of the Defense Department have been historically under represented by men and women of color and Secretary Austin, a son of the South with 41 years of military service, has demonstrated throughout his career that he will lead a Pentagon that is inclusive and forward thinking. I look forward to his leadership and to working with him in his new capacity."