WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after he voted no in committee on President Trump’s nominee, former Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R-NM), to be the next Secretary of the Air Force:

“Congresswoman Wilson has an impressive resume and Air Force background.  I respect her service, but I voted no because I have serious concerns about her involvement in directly contacting a sitting U.S. attorney about pending cases and her post-government actions as a contracting consultant for Heather Wilson and Company, LLC.

“Her answers to the committee were incomplete and unsatisfactory.

“We hold our servicemembers to the highest standards for conduct, and I believe the individual confirmed to lead our brave Airmen and women must be held to the same high standards.  Dr. Wilson is a very accomplished individual, but she is the wrong person for this job.”

The Armed Services Committee voted 22-5 to advance the nomination to the full U.S. Senate.