[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 17, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4871-S4872]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NOMINATION OF MARK T. ESPER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, yesterday, our colleagues on the Armed 
Services Committee heard testimony from Dr. Mark Esper, the Senate-
confirmed Secretary of the Army and President Trump's nominee for 
Secretary of Defense. They examined his extensive record of military 
and public service and discussed the variety of challenges the next 
Secretary will face. By the end, I believe anybody impartial would have 
to have come away impressed by Dr. Esper's mastery, intelligence, and 
thoroughness.
  Of course, it is not exactly surprising that a decorated combat 
veteran and distinguished scholar would convey expertise and calm under 
pressure. For those of us who knew him during his service as national 
security adviser to the former majority leader, Bill Frist, those 
qualities are familiar.
  You could hardly invent better qualifications for the top job at the 
Pentagon than Mark Esper's: a graduate of West Point, advanced degrees 
from the Harvard Kennedy School and George Washington University, 
courageous service with the 101st Airborne in the Gulf war, service at 
the Defense Department, a successful career in the private sector.
  Every step of the way, he earned respect and admiration. That 
includes high praise from DOD leaders of the last administration, the 
Obama administration. They say that Dr. Esper ``works hard, he's smart, 
he's dedicated.'' He has ``all the qualifications.''
  Our colleagues at the hearing saw an exceptionally well-qualified 
nominee. In fact, as my friend the junior Senator from Virginia has put 
it, they saw a

[[Page S4872]]

man of ``sound character and moral courage.'' He is a man of honor and 
integrity, dedicated to our Nation and committed to the men and women 
who serve in uniform, and I think it is clear he deserves prompt 
confirmation. Even more, the Pentagon and our Nation's security deserve 
a Senate-confirmed Secretary of Defense to be in place and on the job.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting his confirmation as 
soon as it can reach the floor.

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