Michael Bennet: “Quote: Leaving these and many other senior positions in doubt at a time of enormous geopolitical uncertainty sends the…”

“Quote: Leaving these and many other senior positions in doubt at a time of enormous geopolitical uncertainty sends the wrong message to our adversaries and could weaken our deterrence. Today--today--the Secretary of Defense, Secretary Austin, wrote: The longer that this hold persists, the greater the risk the U.S. military runs in every theater, in every domain, in every Service. He said that this uncertainty ``diminishes our global standing as the strongest military in the world.'' I don't think it is surprising that he would say that or that it is political that he would say that. It is stating the obvious when you can't do something that we have done for 230 years because of politics that has infected the floor of the Senate. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to have Secretary Austin's letter printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: May 5, 2023. Hon. Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Senator Warren: Thank you for your letter requesting a full accounting of the impact on our national security and the risks to our military readiness resulting from Senator Tuberville's indefinite hold on the confirmation of our general and flag officers. I appreciate and share your deep concern over this hold, which is unprecedented in its scale and scope. Delays in confirming our general and flag officers pose a clear risk to U.S. military readiness, especially at this critical time.…”