Udall Statement On DOD’s Chuck Hagel Stepping Down

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Udall issued the following statement after President Obama announced that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will step down: 
 
“Over the last year, we have seen the emergence of a brutal terrorist organization as well as other security threats that have required a targeted, strategic response, with little room for mistakes. As the commander in chief, President Obama needs to have a strong defense secretary who will handle these challenges with authority and clear leadership. I thank Secretary Hagel for his many years of service to our country and to the administration. I particularly appreciate Secretary Hagel’s strong understanding of the strategic importance of our national laboratories, and I hope his successor will share that focus. I look forward to more information from the president about his next steps as well as the upcoming confirmation process.” 
 
U.S. Sen. Tom Udall

President Barack Obama nominated Hagel Jan. 7, 2013, to serve as Secretary of Defense. Feb. 12, 2013, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Hagel’s nomination by a vote of 14-11. Feb. 14, 2013, Senate Republicans denied Democrats the 60 votes needed to end the debate on Hagel’s nomination and proceed to a final vote, citing the need for further review. It was the first time in American history that a nominee for Secretary of Defense was filibustered, although candidates for other cabinet offices have been filibustered before.

Feb. 26, 2013, the Senate voted for cloture on Hagel’s nomination and confirmed his nomination by a vote of 58-41. He took office Feb. 27, 2013, as his predecessor Leon Panetta stepped down.

Hagel previously served as a professor at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, chairman of the Atlantic Council, and co-chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board. Before his appointment as Secretary of Defense, Hagel served on a number of boards of directors, including that of Chevron Corporation.

Search
LOS ALAMOS

ladailypost.com website support locally by OviNuppi Systems