Shaheen Statement on the Confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the confirmation of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense: 

“Since I’ve been a member of the U.S. Senate, I have had productive relationships with every Secretary of Defense from both Republican and Democratic administrations—even if we didn’t agree on every policy issue. I have voiced my concerns for our national security related to Mr. Hegseth’s nomination; however, now that he has been confirmed to this position, I sincerely hope we can work together in good faith to ensure the wellbeing of our service members. It’s critical we put the security of Americans and our nation above all else.” 

Citing national security concerns in a Senate floor speech yesterday, Shaheen announced that she would oppose the President’s nominee for Secretary of Defense for the first time since joining the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in 2011. 

###