U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Senate confirmed the nomination of Kath Hicks to be Deputy Secretary of Defense last night:

“I’m glad the Senate voted to confirm Kathleen Hicks as Deputy Secretary of Defense. She will be taking on the number-two role at the Pentagon at a critical time, where she’ll need to focus first and foremost on strategic competition with China and Russia. As highlighted in the 2018 National Defense Strategy, the Department of Defense must also address the significant threats we face from rogue nations like Iran and North Korea and terrorist organizations. She will play a significant role in ensuring the military has the budget, resources, and authorities needed to implement the National Defense Strategy and defend our country. Additionally, she’ll also need to deal with important Pentagon management issues — most immediately, strengthening civilian control of the Armed Forces by enhancing the capabilities of the Office of the Secretary of Defense civilian corps. I think she’s well suited for the job, and I look forward to working with her.”