The Senate Armed Services Committee

Advance Policy Questions for James N. Mattis Nominee to be Secretary of Defense The Senate Armed Services Committee

"The Committee meets today to consider the nomination of General James Mattis to be the Secretary of Defense of the United States. Two years ago, the last time you came before this Committee, the idea that we would be meeting again under the present circumstances would have been hard to imagine-most of all by you. But I, for one, could not be happier. All of us recognize the unique, indeed historic, nature of this nomination. General Mattis enjoyed a long and distinguished career in uniform, but current law would bar him from serving as Secretary of Defense for three more years. While I support retaining that law, I also believe that our nation needs General Mattis's service more than ever. So after this hearing, the Committee will meet to consider special legislation to allow General Mattis to serve as Secretary of Defense. If confirmed, General Mattis would have the honor of leading a team of Americans who represent everything that is noble and best in our nation. Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines do everything we ask of them and more. They make us proud every day. Our many defense civil servants also sacrifice day in and day out for our national security, and rarely get the credit they deserve. I am confident that no one appreciates our people and values their sacrifices more than General Mattis."