washington u.s. house representatives friday clear way quick confirmation jam mattis serve president-elect donald trump secretary defense back waiver allow serve less seven years retire active duty marine general 2013. house vote 268 151 largely along party line one-time waiver provision law civilian control u.s. military require seven-year wait retirement active-duty military lead department defense waiver must still sign president become law clear way mattis lead pentagon confirm expect senate senate pass waiver thursday 81-17. white house spokesman say friday president barack obama would sign measure come desk rather make wait trump swear president jan. 20. democrats vote waiver republicans support one house member vote present mattis schedule testify house arm service committee week trump transition team cancel appearance democrats say support mattis cancellation set dangerous precedent trump sidestep congress normally lawmakers able question legislation committee hear bill bring vote full house president even office first opportunity choose completely ignore us reason say representative adam smith top democrat arm service panel democrats also say worry waiver exempt mattis uniform code military justice retire officer subject life theory could court-martial trump commander chief representative mac thornberry republican chairman committee say also unhappy hear cancel say house responsibility country military ensure secretary defense place soon trump become president u.s. house back waiver allow mattis serve defense secretary