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This bill would create an exception to the rule that prevents people who have been active duty military officers in the last seven years from serving as Secretary of Defense. It would only allow retired Marine Corps General James Mattis to serve in the role — who left the service in 2013 — as he has been nominated to do so by President-elect Trump. Any other person nominated to serve as Secretary of Defense would require a separate waiver.

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Believer in the power of an informed populace using smart tools at the right time. @Countable founder.","twitter_id":"bartolah","facebook_id":"bartmyers","youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":"","website":"","slug":"bart","issue_count":56,"is_following":null,"influence_score":75645,"influence_level":40,"follower_count":1975,"following_count":931,"position_count":55,"id":"0emQpZxM","partner_id":null}],"bill_position":{"flagged":false,"id":"e03603a8-24b5-4f11-9319-582b52ea11a6","argument_for":null,"argument_against":"Civilian oversight of the military and police is essential to maintaining democracy.","show_argument_for":false,"show_argument_against":true,"upvote_count":1,"upvotes_for_count":null,"upvotes_against_count":1,"has_upvoted":false,"endorsement_count":1,"links":{"self":"https://www.countable.us/positions/e03603a8-24b5-4f11-9319-582b52ea11a6"},"body":"Civilian oversight of the military and police is essential to maintaining democracy.","stance":"nay","created_at":"2017-01-24T17:35:47.060Z","shareable_image_url":"https://n.countable.us/share-images/positions/e03603a8-24b5-4f11-9319-582b52ea11a6.png","note_color":null,"note_text":null,"bill_id":"s84-115","user_id":"0mLMBw39","endorser_ids":["0emQpZxM"]}}

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Should General Mattis be Granted a Waiver to Serve as Secretary of Defense?