WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the president’s nomination of Dr. Ash Carter to be the next Secretary of Defense:

"I welcome the nomination of Dr. Ash Carter to be the next Secretary of Defense.  I have worked with Dr. Carter over the years and consider him qualified for the position and look forward to his confirmation hearing.  The unanswered question is how much influence Dr. Carter will have on one of the most dangerously insular White House’s in recent history.  Our military and national security face a daunting set of challenges ranging from the devastating impact of defense sequestration to a lack of an effective strategy to combat ISIL, a resurgent Russia, and increased tensions in the Asia Pacific.  Now more than ever the President needs the candid and independent counsel of his senior civilian and military officials to reverse the failures of the last six years, most importantly ending sequestration budget cuts to the Department of Defense."

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