washington u.s. senate arm service committee back waiver thursday allow jam mattis serve president-elect donald trump secretary defense despite retire marine general 2013. panel vote 24-3 waive law civilian control u.s. military would bar mattis assume position seven years active duty service vote come three democrats senators richard blumenthal kirsten gillibrand elizabeth warren waiver must still approve full senate house representatives arm service committee full house allow mattis serve confirm lead pentagon u.s. senate panel back waiver allow mattis serve defense secretary