The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate approved a waiver on Thursday allowing Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star Army general, to hold the civilian post of defense secretary, clearing the way for his confirmation to the job.

The House voted 326-78 to pass the waiver, which exempts Austin, who retired in 2016, from the seven-year "cooling off period" currently prescribed by law for retired generals taking over the helm of the Pentagon. The Senate Armed Services Committee also approved Austin's waiver by a 69-27 voice vote.

A final confirmation vote on Austin is now expected to be held on Friday.

If confirmed, the 67-year-old retired general would become the first African American to run the Pentagon, the federal government's largest agency.

At his confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Austin said he would "uphold the principle of civilian control of the military," adding that he understands that serving as a cabinet member "requires a different perspective and unique duties from a career in uniform."

The incoming defence secretary will be tasked with implementing the Biden administration's military and defense priorities, while playing a role in executing the logistics associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the president's team had previously said.

Austin served more than 40 years in the military and was the commander of the U.S. Central Command from 2013 to 2016. 

As commanding general of U.S. Forces-Iraq, he was responsible for the Army's largest logistical effort in more than 60 years when he oversaw the transition of U.S. and Coalition military forces and equipment out of Iraq ahead of a 2011 deadline. He also led the design and execution of the military campaign against the ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Born in Alabama and raised in Georgia, Austin received his bachelor of science degree from West Point, his master's in education from Auburn University, and his master's in business administration from Webster University.

(With input from Xinhua, Reuters)

(Cover:  Gen. Lloyd Austin, commander of U.S. Central Command, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., U.S., September 16, 2015. /Getty)