Gillibrand says she won't vote for Mattis waiver

[mystery-ak]

Gillibrand says she won't vote for Mattis waiver

By Elana Schor

12/01/16 09:56 PM EST

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said she plans to vote against the waiver required for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to serve as Donald Trump’s defense secretary.

Gillibrand’s early opposition to the waiver came less than an hour after Trump announced he would tap Mattis for the Pentagon. The popular commander, nicknamed "Mad Dog," is still expected to become the first defense secretary nominee in more than 60 years to win the congressional waiver that's necessary to install him as the military's civilian leader given his recent service in uniform.

“While I deeply respect General Mattis’s service, I will oppose a waiver," Gillibrand said in a statement. "Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule.”

more
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/kirsten-gillibrand-mattis-waiver-232099

[Maj. Bill Martin]

That's sweet.

It's also irrelevant.  There will be plenty of other votes for the waiver, and if not, it is very likely unenforceable/unconstitutional anyway.

[SirLinksALot]

"Civilian control of our military is a fundamental principle of American democracy, and I will not vote for an exception to this rule.”

Somebody ought to tell my Senator ( Yes, I say this in sorrow ) that Mattis IS A CIVILIAN. Tell her to get a clue.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

Somebody ought to tell my Senator ( Yes, I say this in sorrow ) that Mattis IS A CIVILIAN. Tell her to get a clue.

So is Trump.  And he'll be the C-in-C.

Gillebrand doesn't want him because she knows he'll shut down the pushing of women into combat arms units.  That's the real issue.

[SirLinksALot]

So is Trump.  And he'll be the C-in-C.

Gillebrand doesn't want him because she knows he'll shut down the pushing of women into combat arms units.  That's the real issue.

BTW Major, do you know if Women are still allowed in combat in Israel?

[Maj. Bill Martin]

BTW Major, do you know if Women are still allowed in combat in Israel?

Yes, but there's generally not integrated with the rest of the IDF.  They have two mixed-gender (actually, predominantly female) battalions that are essentially border guards.  No women in tank units.

[Bigun]

Good! I hope she doesn't!  That may just seal her fate!