Week ahead: Mattis heads to confirmation hearing

Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis will find himself in the spotlight when he goes before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing on Thursday. 

Mattis has been making the rounds with senators this week, in advance of the hearing. The reception has been positive, with Republicans singing his praises, and Democrats also giving him positive reviews. 

However, there’s one key hurdle facing Mattis before the Senate votes to confirm him. Mattis needs a waiver to exempt him from current law which requires a general to be out of the military for at least seven years before serving as Pentagon chief. Mattis has only been out for three. 

{mosads}

The waiver will have to be passed by both chambers, and will need 60 votes in the Senate. Some, particularly Democrats and veterans, have expressed concerns publicly and privately over making sure the waiver does not harm the principle of civilian rule over the military and the Pentagon. 

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who sits on the Armed Services Committee, has already said she would oppose the waiver. Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a Marine veteran, has also said he will oppose it. 

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a wounded combat veteran, has expressed concerns over the waiver. One Republican veteran in Congress privately expressed concerns over it to The Hill earlier this week, cautioning that great care has to be taken with the issue to avoid eroding the principle of civilian rule.

Prior to Mattis’s confirmation hearing, the Senate Armed Services Committee will also hold a hearing on civilian control of the military with testimony from outside experts at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hart 216. http://bit.ly/2iZ6e1R

In addition to Mattis, Congress has a full slate of confirmation hearings next week.

Of interest to foreign policy watchers will be Rex Tillerson for secretary of State. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is slated to hold Tillerson’s confirmation hearing Wednesday, though the committee has not yet announced a time or place. http://bit.ly/1dKW5dv

The Senate Intelligence Committee will have a confirmation hearing for Rep. Mike Pompeo to be CIA director at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hart 216. http://bit.ly/2hZ880x

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for retired Gen. John Kelly to be secretary of Homeland Security at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dirksen 342. http://bit.ly/2jaHfMr

Think tanks are also holding transition-related events, with only two week until President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.

The U.S. Institute of Peace is holding its daylong event on “Passing the Baton 2017: America’s Role in the World” on Tuesday. Outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry, incoming National Security Adviser retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn and Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are among the speakers. http://bit.ly/2iMGZjL

Recent stories:

— House votes to rebuke UN on Israeli settlement resolution 

— Four Gitmo detainees transferred to Saudi Arabia

— Defense chief touts anti-ISIS campaign, NATO alliance in exit memo

— Obama pledges ‘continuity’ in meeting with top commanders

— Pentagon: Majority of National Guard bonus clawbacks will be dismissed

— Trump transition team clashing with Mattis: report

— Coalition airstrike kills ISIS leader in Raqqa

— Army partners with Suze Orman to offers soldiers financial advice