Biden’s Deputy Defence Secy pick confirmed by Senate

Washington, Feb 9 (IANS) The US Senate has confirmed Kathleen Hicks, President Joe Biden’s pick for Deputy Defence Secretary, making her the first woman to hold the position.The Senate confirmed Hicks in a voice vote on Monday night about a week after her confirmation hearing, The Hill news website reported.The Senate Armed Services Committee had approved Hicks on February 4 During the administration of former President Barack Obama, Hicks had served as a Deputy Under Secretary of Defence.She also headed Biden’s Pentagon transition team. When she will be sworn in, Hicks will be the first Senate-confirmed female Deputy Defence Secretary, though Christine Fox served as Acting Deputy Defence Secretaryfor six months in the Obama administration.–IANSksk/