WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, today voted in favor of Dr. Ashton Carter to be the next Secretary of Defense. The Senate approved Dr. Carter’s confirmation by a vote of 93-5.

“I am pleased that Dr. Carter’s confirmation process was swift and garnered widespread bipartisan support,” Wicker said. “His record and previous experience at the Pentagon proves that he is capable of doing what it takes to combat the current threats to our national security.

“It is well known that former secretaries of defense under this President have been micromanaged by the White House, making their jobs even more difficult. Only time will tell if the President decides to take a new approach in working with Secretary Carter.”

Dr. Carter received a unanimous vote of approval before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week.  During a meeting in January, Wicker and Dr. Carter discussed several issues important to Mississippi, including shipbuilding and the future of Keesler Air Force Base. Wicker also questioned Dr. Carter during an Armed Services Committee hearing last week.