World Bulletin / News Desk

President-elect Donald Trump's pick to helm the Defense Department cleared on Friday a major legal hurdle to assuming the position.

The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly 268-151 to grant Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis a legal exemption to become defense secretary.

The post is not supposed to be assumed by anyone who has been out of uniform for less than seven years under U.S. law in a bid to ensure civilian control of the military. Mattis left active duty in 2013 amid reports of a falling out with President Barack Obama's administration over his hawkish views on Iran, placing him far short of the mandatory requirement.

Renowned Gen. George C. Marshall is the only other defense chief to have received the exemption when Congress granted it to him in 1950.

The Senate voted earlier this week to grant Mattis the exemption just hours after his confirmation hearing concluded, paving the way for the House to follow suit.

The White House has said that President Barack Obama will sign off on the measure once it reaches his desk.

Mattis has been warmly received on Capitol Hill, receiving plaudits during his Thursday testimony.

He established himself as a premier tactical thinker during his over four-decade career in the Marine Corps.