Perry Approved as Deputy Defense Chief
William J. Perry was confirmed Friday by the Senate as deputy secretary of defense, making him just the second Clinton Administration appointee, behind Secretary Les Aspin, to move into a top Pentagon post.
Perry, a Stanford University professor who worked at the Pentagon during the Jimmy Carter Administration, was approved for the No. 2 defense job on a voice vote.
The Clinton Administration has come under some criticism for its slow pace in filling sub-Cabinet positions, especially at the Defense Department. Clinton has yet to nominate his civilian chiefs of the separate services.
Perry serves on the board of several defense companies, including United Technologies Corp. His presence on the boards and participation in the Administration’s defense budget discussions raised questions about a conflict of interest. But Perry said he merely was an adviser in the discussions and promised to resign from the boards once confirmed.
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