Blumenthal Statement On Nomination Of Former Senator Chuck Hagel For Secretary Of Defense

(Hartford, CT) –Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for Secretary of Defense:

I respect the President's right to select cabinet members, but I have a responsibility as a member of the Armed Services Committee to ask Senator Hagel's views on critical defense policy issues confronting our nation. I will reserve judgment until the hearing, when I will ask about such issues – the submarine and Joint Strike Fighter programs, the Afghanistan War, and others. I have tremendous respect for his extraordinary, distinguished public service, and his heroism in uniform.