Rounds Questions Defense Secretary Nominee Mark Esper at Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned Secretary of Defense Nominee Dr. Mark Esper at his confirmation hearing. Esper, who retired from the Army in 2007, previously served as the Secretary of the Army and the Acting Secretary of Defense.

“Dr. Esper’s background in the military, civilian government positions and business make him eminently qualified to lead the Department of Defense (DOD),” said Rounds. “During his confirmation hearing, he affirmed to me his commitment to making sure DOD programs are running as efficiently as possible. He is committed to being a good steward of taxpayer dollars while also assuring our military leaders have the tools they need to be successful. As chairman of the Armed Services Cybersecurity Subcommittee, I appreciated the opportunity to ask him about his vision for the role of cybersecurity in our national defense. Battling countries like China and Russia in cyberspace is our new reality. Once he is confirmed, I look forward to working with him on laws and policies to improve our cybersecurity capabilities.” 

Watch Rounds’ full questioning HERE.

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