January 20, 2017

Duckworth Statement on the Confirmation of General James Mattis As Defense Secretary

 

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the United States Senate voted to confirm General James Mattis as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense:

"While I have made my concerns about the erosion of the civilian leadership role over our military clear, I believe General Mattis will be an effective Secretary of Defense. When I met him, I was impressed by his thoughtful, strategic thinking and by his deep understanding of the serious security threats we face.

"General Mattis knows as well as I do the true costs of war and he understands the many sacrifices the men and women of our Armed Forces have made. He knows that we must look after those who return from combat with wounds of war-whether they are visible like mine, or invisible but just as deserving of care and treatment.

"From reforming how we procure major weapons systems to strengthening vital military alliances like NATO, which General Mattis described as 'the most successful military alliance probably in modern history, maybe ever,' I look forward to working with the new Secretary of Defense to keep our nation safe, enhance military readiness, continue to open combat roles to women, protect against military sexual trauma as well as recruit and retain dedicated service members and the civilians who support them."