John Barrasso

01/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 14:56

Pete Hegseth is the Right Choice to Lead Our Military

"Perhaps no other Cabinet position is more important to the safety and security of the country than Secretary of Defense. The American people deserve to have a Secretary of Defense in place and on the job."

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of a key vote on Pete Hegseth's nomination to be Secretary of Defense.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso's remarks.

Sen. Barrasso remarks as prepared:

"This afternoon, the Senate will confirm John Ratcliffe to be the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. This is a win for our national security.

"Frankly, it should have been done two days ago. Democrats unnecessarily delayed this important vote.

"John Ratcliffe is undeniably qualified for the job. He is going to lead the CIA without bias and with the safety of the American people as his top priority.

"Once the Senate confirms John Ratcliffe, we will move to consider the nomination of Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense.

"America needs a strong, intimidating, and lethal military. Our men and women in uniform want to serve in that kind of military.

"They did not join a safe space or a faculty lounge. They volunteered to serve in the United States Armed Forces - the greatest fighting force in human history.

"Our nation is counting on President Trump and our military to defend America and restore peace through strength.

"The problem is, our service members are trapped in a broken system with misguided values.

"We face the most serious, significant recruiting and morale crises since the creation of the all-volunteer military.

"The military in 2023 missed its recruiting goals by more than 40,000 people. The Pentagon says they met their goals in 2024, but conveniently those goals were lower than in 2023.

"According to the Department of Defense, more than half of all young Americans say they have never thought about serving in the military.

"In addition to a recruiting problem and morale problem, we have an accountability problem.
The Department of Defense last month failed its seventh audit in a row.

"We need to change course at the Pentagon. We need to get the Pentagon back on track. President Trump selected Pete Hegseth to do just that.

"As Pete said at his hearing last week, 'We don't need more bureaucracy at the top. We need more warfighters empowered at the bottom.'

"As a decorated combat veteran, Pete brings a fresh-set of eyes to the Pentagon.

"He is confident, knowledgeable, and courageous. He knows the cost of war and the price of weakness.

"He clearly loves our country, is a champion for our service members and their families, and wants to continue serving our country.

"That is why Pete is the right choice to lead our military.

"At the Senate Armed Services Committee, Pete answered hard questions with clarity and resolve.

"Pete was clear about his mission. It is, as he said, to make the Pentagon 'laser-focused on lethality, meritocracy, war fighting, accountability, and readiness.'

"Ultimately, the Senate Armed Service Committee voted in favor of Pete's nomination.

"Unfortunately, this wasn't enough for Democrats. They decided to run their desperate playbook of distract and delay so that they could then try to search and destroy.

"Senate Republicans aren't going to be stopped by Democrats' political games. We are moving forward.

"Perhaps no other Cabinet position is more important to the safety and security of the country than Secretary of Defense. The American people deserve to have a Secretary of Defense in place and on the job."

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