Steny Hoyer

President Biden's nominee for defense secretary, retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, testifies Tuesday at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

National
Politics & Government

House And Senate Approve Waiver For Lloyd Austin, Biden's Pick To Head Pentagon

5:30pm January 21, 2021

The House normally has no role in Cabinet nominations, but because Austin, a retired Army general, has been out of uniform for less than seven years, both chambers of Congress must approve a waiver.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California has been chosen by her party to be speaker of the House come January. The final vote on speakership is on Jan. 3.

Politics & Government

Democrats Pick Nancy Pelosi As House Speaker, Despite Earlier Internal Opposition

4:26pm November 28, 2018

by Scott Detrow

The caucus vote is just the first of two key elections Pelosi needs to win. The full House formally votes on its next speaker on Jan. 3, the first day of Congress' next session.