Blumenthal Statement on Senate Confirmation of Ash Carter as Defense Secretary

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Senate, by a vote of 93-5, confirmed Ash Carter as the next Secretary of Defense:

“Ash Carter received my vote and the strong bipartisan backing of the United States Senate today because he knows the Pentagon inside and out and is supremely qualified to advise the President on military policy. As the former undersecretary of defense for acquisition, he is a real professional who digs and drills down on questions. I have worked with Ash Carter in the past on vital programs, such as the Joint Strike Fighter, Blackhawk helicopters, submarines being built at Electric Boat in Groton, and the expedited fielding of enhanced body armor to protect our troops in Afghanistan. I look forward to working with him as he does more to reform the contracting process to eliminate waste and fraud. The enormous challenges ahead at the Pentagon require forceful and thoughtful leadership and resolve.”