U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich meets with Defense Secretary Nominee, Dr. Ash Carter Thursday in Washington, D.C. Courtesy photo

U.S. SENATE News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement Thursday after meeting with Defense Secretary nominee, Dr. Ashton Carter:

“We need strong leadership to address the many evolving national security threats that the United States and our allies must confront around the world, particularly in the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific.

“Having served under 11 Secretaries of Defense, Dr. Carter is no stranger to the institution and the issues our Department of Defense must address at home and abroad. As a physicist, Dr. Carter also understands the importance of nuclear deterrence and nonproliferation, both of which are critical to global security and the state of New Mexico.

I intend to support his nomination, and if confirmed, I look forward to working with him to address these challenges and how New Mexico’s military installations and national labs will contribute to our collective national security mission.”