Lee Statement on Nomination of Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense

January 7, 2013

WASHINGTON – Today Senator Mike Lee, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, made the following statement regarding the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to lead the Department of Defense:

“The United States continues to face significant national security challenges and it is critical to have strong leadership at the Pentagon that can respond to our evolving and emerging threats.  The nomination of Senator Hagel presents an opportunity to discuss not only his qualifications for the position and his approach to defending the United States and her allies, but also the specific ways in which he would seek to strengthen, modernize, and reform our national defense. I look forward to hearing Senator Hagel’s answers to questions involving these important issues.”