Samuel Nunn: “I am pleased that the Senate of the United States is considering the nomination of William J. Perry, to be Secretary of…”

“I am pleased that the Senate of the United States is considering the nomination of William J. Perry, to be Secretary of Defense. Earlier today the Armed Services Committee voted unanimously to report this nomination to the Senate recommending our approval of the nomination. President Clinton announced his intent to nominate Dr. Perry to be Secretary of Defense on January 24, and the Senate received Dr. Perry's nomination on January 26. The Armed Services Committee considered Dr. Perry's nomination in the same way we consider all other nominations of this importance. We sent our standard committee questionnaire to Dr. Perry on January 24, the same day the President made his announcement. The following day, January 25, after consulting with the minority, I sent Dr. Perry a lengthy series of policy questions for his answers to be received in writing prior to the hearing. Dr. Perry returned the committee questionnaire on January 28. He also provided the committee his written responses to the policy questions on the same day, and those responses were provided immediately to all members of the committee. The committee received the required opinions from the General Counsel of the Defense Department and from the Office of Government Ethics certifying the nominee is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations regarding conflict of interest. We also reviewed the report of the FBI background investigation of Dr. Perry.”