Hoyer: Dems 'wary' of giving waiver to Defense pick without testimony

[Jose Garcia]

Source: The Hill

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) suggested Wednesday that Democrats would oppose granting an eligibility waiver to Donald Trump's pick to head the Pentagon unless the nominee testifies before a key committee beforehand.

Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis would need a congressional waiver to lead the Defense Department because he hasn't been out of uniform for at least seven years, as the law requires.

Reps. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Adam Smith (D-Wash.), who head the House Armed Services Committee, had requested Mattis's testimony ahead of the waiver vote, only to be denied by Trump's transition team.

"It is my understanding that Mr. Thornberry is not happy about that, [and] I know Mr. Smith is not happy about it," Hoyer told reporters Wednesday in the Capitol.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/313805-hoyer-dems-wary-of-giving-waiver-to-defense-nominee-without-testimony

[Ford_Prefect]

1. So much for Advise and Consent, not to mention Due Diligence and Due Process.

[Orsino]

3. Weasel words.

No emergency requires this waiver, and it ought not to be considered at all.

[Crash2Parties]

4. They've gone from we're gonna "fight them" to "politely object using milquetoast wording"