Senators voice little opposition to Mattis as defense chief
Updated: January 10, 2017 — 1:12 PM EST
Camera icon Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
Gen. James Mattis testifies before a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on Sept. 18, 2014.
by RICHARD LARDNER, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators signaled little opposition Tuesday to the nomination of James Mattis to be defense secretary, as national security experts recommended lawmakers amend the law and allow the retired Marine Corps general to head the Pentagon for President-elect Donald Trump.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, senators explored the pitfalls of permitting retired military officers to serve as defense secretary. But two witnesses assured lawmakers that Mattis' depth of experience and temperament warranted the approval of legislation to override a prohibition against former service members who have been out of uniform for less than seven years holding the job.
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