Lynn gets nod from Senate panel

After making a series of concessions to distance himself from Raytheon, William Lynn III, a former lobbyist for the defense contractor, won a favorable vote this afternoon from the Senate Armed Services Committee, sending his nomination for the No. 2 job at the Pentagon to the full Senate.

Lynn pledged on Wednesday not to participate for up to a year in decisions that involve the weapons programs he lobbied for at Waltham-based Raytheon.

Lynn had to receive a special waiver from President Obama's new ethics rules to be eligible to become deputy defense secretary under Robert M. Gates, who pushed hard for Lynn to be at his side.

The White House said that Lynn's experience and skills were indispensable for the job.