Byrne Statement on Hagel Resignation

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel’s resignation announcement today.

Byrne said: “I sincerely appreciate Secretary Hagel’s loyal service to his country both as a member of the armed forces and as a public servant. We need more veterans to be involved in public service, not less.

“Secretary Hagel was dealt a bad hand due to the lack of leadership from the White House. Ultimately, it won’t matter who the Secretary of Defense is as long as the current White House remains more concerned with political optics than long-term strategic results. President Obama’s weak and indecisive approach to foreign policy is frankly a disservice to all the men and women who serve in the armed forces.”  

Byrne also pointed out that the Secretary of Defense is very important to the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, which is built in part by Austal USA in Mobile. According to media reports, the Secretary of Defense is currently considering the path forward for the LCS based on the Navy’s Small Surface Combatant Task Force report, which makes recommendations on the future of the LCS program.

Byrne said: “We will have to wait and see exactly what this announcement will mean to the LCS program. Like our nation’s naval leaders, I hope our next Secretary of Defense is strongly committed to the LCS program. I remain confident that the LCS represents the future of our naval fleet, and I firmly believe the current ship design can be upgraded to meet all of the Navy’s requirements.”