Statement On Nomination Of Ash Carter To Become Secretary Of Defense
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today issued this statement following the President’s nomination of Dr. Ash Carter to become Secretary of Defense.
“President Obama has chosen a serious and thoughtful national security leader in his nomination of Dr. Ash Carter. I have known Dr. Carter for several years, and I have worked closely with him on issues of importance to our country and to Maine, such as our successful effort to end spending on a wasteful extra engine for the F-35 fighter that saved taxpayers billions of dollars.
“The next Secretary of Defense will face several major challenges simultaneously: the threat posed by ISIL and other terrorist groups, the chaos and conflict throughout the Middle East, the aggressive posture taken by Russia, the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, the constant cyber attacks from China, Russia, and Iran, the imperative of maintaining readiness in a military stretched by years of war, and the need for a strong and vibrant defense industrial base.
"I look forward to exploring each of these issues when I meet with Dr. Carter to discuss his vision for the Department of Defense, and I will closely follow his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. As always, I will reserve judgment until that hearing has concluded.”
“President Obama has chosen a serious and thoughtful national security leader in his nomination of Dr. Ash Carter. I have known Dr. Carter for several years, and I have worked closely with him on issues of importance to our country and to Maine, such as our successful effort to end spending on a wasteful extra engine for the F-35 fighter that saved taxpayers billions of dollars.
“The next Secretary of Defense will face several major challenges simultaneously: the threat posed by ISIL and other terrorist groups, the chaos and conflict throughout the Middle East, the aggressive posture taken by Russia, the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran, the constant cyber attacks from China, Russia, and Iran, the imperative of maintaining readiness in a military stretched by years of war, and the need for a strong and vibrant defense industrial base.
"I look forward to exploring each of these issues when I meet with Dr. Carter to discuss his vision for the Department of Defense, and I will closely follow his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. As always, I will reserve judgment until that hearing has concluded.”
