|
Carter, 60, who was approved in a 93-5 vote, served as deputy
defense secretary, the Pentagon's No. 2 position, from 2011 to
2013. He was also the Defense Department's chief weapons buyer
from 2009 to 2011 when he led a major restructuring of the F-35
fighter jet program.
At his confirmation hearing on Feb. 4, Carter underscored his
determination to boost the U.S. defense budget, drive down the
cost of new weapons and make sure new technologies are delivered
to troops quicker.
He also told lawmakers he was leaning in favor of providing arms
to Ukraine but later cautioned that the focus of the
international community's efforts to handle the crisis must
remain on pressuring Russia economically and politically.
Carter will be Obama's fourth defense secretary, succeeding
Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure last year.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Bill Trott)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
|
|
