Sen. Cruz Discusses Strengthening America’s National Security with Secretary of Defense Designee Gen. James Mattis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) met with Gen. James Mattis, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to become Secretary of Defense. Sen. Cruz and Gen. Mattis discussed national security concerns in advance of the general’s nomination hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“General Mattis has an impressive understanding of the challenges facing our national security and a realistic assessment of the serious work ahead of us as we seek to rebuild our military capabilities,” said Sen. Cruz. “I appreciate his candid responses during our conversation and was pleased to note the depth of the general’s thoughts regarding areas that are vital to the security of the United States, including the importance of our nuclear triad, investment in our homeland missile defense systems, and the critical requirement to rebuild our global alliances. I was also encouraged to hear that part of our global alliance commitments included the successful completion of the F-35 program, which is not only vitally important for our future air superiority, but also that of many of our closest allies. It was also reassuring to hear General Mattis express his concerns regarding the need to rebuild our military while spending the taxpayers’ money more effectively, in part by helping to achieve something I’ve long supported, a full audit of Defense Department spending.

“After almost a decade of neglect, our military and our national security are in a precarious position. Our adversaries have grown bolder, and our allies have become less sure of America’s will. A Marine’s Marine, Gen. Mattis is an inspired selection to lead the Department of Defense into the future. I’m confident that he’ll restore the warrior ethos to our military, banish political correctness, and direct our concerted energy at defeating radical Islamic terrorism. I look forward to supporting his nomination.”

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