WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today participated in a full committee hearing examining the nominations of Derek Chollet to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Cara Abercrombie to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. 

In his remarks, Wicker noted the strategic environment the United States faces, suggesting that any nominees to senior Pentagon postings must act with urgency to improve deterrence. 

“Recently, the Marine Corps Commandant, General Eric Smith, noted that our country is in something of an “interwar period.” He’s right, and if we continue on our current course, we risk transforming this moment into a “pre-war period.” We need to act – and act quickly – to prevent a war,” Wicker said. “As we face a growing threat from Communist China, we need to pursue a policy of ‘peace through strength.’ Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing our deterrence gaps, the current administration demonstrates a lack of urgency.” 

Wicker also observed the need to repair relations with Congress among senior leaders at the Department of Defense following the tenure of Chollet’s predecessor, Dr. Colin Kahl. The senator asked that Chollet commit to a stronger working relationship with legislators. 

“Mr. Chollet, the recent Under Secretary of Defense for Policy repeatedly deflected House and Senate oversight efforts, made partisan comments unbecoming of his station, and demonstrated low regard for the authorities under the constitution of the legislative branch…Members on my side of the aisle have many questions still unanswered from his tenure,” Wicker said. “Mr. Chollet, I would like you to articulate what you understand your relationship with Congress ought to be and how you intend to repair the degraded relations with Congress, particularly on this side of the aisle.” 

Read Senator Wicker’s full opening statement below or watch it here. Watch his exchange with the nominees here.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, we are here to consider two positions that are among the most important in the Department of Defense. I want to welcome you, Ms. Abercrombie, as well as your family. I also welcome Mr. Chollet and your wife and children.

First, it is worth setting some context. Recently, the Marine Corps Commandant, General Eric Smith, noted that our country is in something of an “interwar period.” He’s right, and if we continue on our current course, we risk transforming this moment into a “pre-war period.” We need to act – and act quickly – to prevent a war. As we face a growing threat from Communist China, we need to pursue a policy of “peace through strength.” Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing our deterrence gaps, the current administration demonstrates a lack of urgency.

It was George H.W. Bush who said, “When it comes to national defense, finishing second means finishing last.” I agree with our former president. And right now, we are finishing last when it comes to the military balance in the Western Pacific. So, we must act quickly.

Ms. Abercrombie, you have been nominated to the post of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. You have had decades in the Pentagon to prepare yourself for this position. I am hopeful I can receive your commitment to work together to accelerate many of our most important procurement programs. For example, we need to work together on Harpoon anti-ship missiles.

Mr. Chollet, you have been nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the third-ranking position at the Department. You will advise the Secretary on some of our most sensitive national defense matters, and you will apprise Congress of the Department’s work.

Mr. Chollet, the recent Under Secretary of Defense for Policy repeatedly deflected House and Senate oversight efforts, made partisan comments unbecoming of his station, and demonstrated low regard for the authorities under the constitution of the legislative branch. Many of his patterns of conduct were foreseeable, given his public record. The Senate Republican Conference subsequently voted against his confirmation.

Members on my side of the aisle have many questions still unanswered from his tenure. Mr. Chollet, I would like you to articulate what you understand your relationship with Congress ought to be and how you intend to repair the degraded relations with Congress, particularly on this side of the aisle.

The important post to which you have been nominated requires someone with discretion and sound professional judgment. Mr. Chollet, you exhibit an indisputably impressive record of public service. Yet I need to note that you have also made several comments in the past that cause me some concern, and I hope you can clarify them for me today. You have trivialized the situation at our southern border, you have claimed that the institutional military is infected by systemic racism, and you’ve suggested that our decision to leave Afghanistan was strategically sound, and these are just some of the disturbing comments.

As this process moves forward, Senators are going to have to consider whether these views are appropriate. Many senior general and flag officers have told this committee we are in the most dangerous moment since World War II. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these comments with you in more detail and receive a full accounting of your views and qualifications.

Thank you, and we look forward to hearing your testimony.