By WPRO News

Senator Jack Reed signals a move clearing the way for President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Senator Reed says he will support the nomination of retired General Lloyd Austin to the post.

Austin needs a waiver from a “revolving door” rule requiring seven years after military officers retire before coming back into an executive role.

In 2017, Reed approved a similar waiver for President Donald Trump’s defense nominee General James Mattis. At the time, Reed called his vote to approve Mattis a once-in-a-generation exemption.

Now, Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who is expected to become chairman as Democrats assume control of the Senate, calls the circumstances unique.

In a statement, Reed called Gen. Austin “the right person to lead the Pentagon through a unique, complex, and unprecedented set of challenges.”