Udall Statement on Confirmation of Ashton Carter to Serve as Secretary of Defense

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall issued the following statement after joining the Senate in voting 93-5 to confirm Ashton Carter to serve as Secretary of Defense:

"Ashton Carter has demonstrated over his many years at the Pentagon that he has the commitment and knowledge needed to lead the Department of Defense, and I was honored to vote to confirm him. With his service under multiple secretaries of defense, and his experience managing large budgets and handling many demands under scrutiny, I am confident that he will be an excellent leader for our troops and defense civilians. And as a member of the Appropriations Defense and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs subcommittees, I look forward to working with him to continue strengthening our national security, including at New Mexico's military bases and national labs."