WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today voted to confirm Dr. Mark Esper as Secretary of Defense.

“Mark Esper’s experiences as a West Point graduate, combat veteran of the Gulf War, defense industry professional, and as the Secretary of the Army have prepared him well to serve as our next Secretary of Defense,” Wicker said. “Secretary Esper will be an outstanding leader for the Pentagon at a time when our national security faces many challenges and growing threats. I look forward to working with him to provide our military with the resources and certainty needed to protect our nation, allies, and interests.”