If I were a Senator asked to vote on Lloyd Austin's qualifications to be Secretary of Defense, I'd say yes. But today the House was asked to vote not on the person, but on a principle: whether to waive a law that prohibits recently retired officers from leading DOD.

I voted no.

This law exists for good reason: to protect civilian control of the military (which is harder when the person running DOD has spent virtually his entire career in uniform), and to avoid senior officers angling for political appointments for the moment they retire.

I've spent the last four years arguing that we must restore respect for the rules and norms that govern our democracy. I'm not comfortable waiving one of those rules on the first day of a new presidency, just because I strongly support the president and admire Mr. Austin.

Since the waiver was nonetheless approved, I hope the Senate will confirm Mr. Austin. I'll do all I can to help him be a successful Secretary of Defense -- to protect America, support our troops, and make our military an even stronger force for equality and inclusion.