Baldwin Says She Hopes Nomination Process For Hagel’s Replacement Goes Smoothly

In the wake of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s resignation on Monday, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, says the U.S. is at a military crossroads with existing and emerging threats.

The Democratic Wisconsin senator said she hopes the nomination process for a new defense secretary goes smoothly. She also praised Hagel’s service as a decorated Vietnam war veteran prior to his political career.

“I have not heard any particular direction that the president may go in nominating a successor, but what I hope is that when he does that we understand the critical nature of these times and that the Senate can get quickly to the process of vetting and confirming that nominee,” said Baldwin.

Neither Hagel nor President Barack Obama gave a specific reason for the defense secretary’s decision to leave the administration after fewer than two years on the job. The announcement comes amid U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria in an attempt to curb the threat posed by the Islamic State group.