The House of Representatives is set to vote today on whether to grant a waiver to allow retired Army General Lloyd Austin to become Pentagon chief. General Austin is on the board of the weapons contractor Raytheon and is a partner in the venture capital fund Pine Island Capital. Critics say his nomination contravenes the principle of civilian control of the military.

Joe Biden is the first president in recent history to come into office before any of his key advisers are installed. As President Biden’s other Cabinet nominees await their hearings and confirmations, he has appointed nearly two dozen acting officials to temporarily lead agencies.