WASHINGTON - On his weekly radio call today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall discussed his meeting with Secretary of Defense nominee, Sen. Chuck Hagel, and what he wants to hear from President Obama during tonight's State of the Union address.

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Below are highlights from Udall’s remarks:
 
0:00 - Udall opens the call with a recap of his meeting with Sen. Hagel.

1:17 - “I’m going to continue reviewing Senator Hagel’s record before the Senate votes on his nomination. I was happy to have the opportunity to speak with him yesterday.”

1:27 - Udall describes what he wants to hear in tonight’s State of the Union address.

1:50 - “Over the past four years, our nation has overcome the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’re moving in the right direction, but there is still a lot of work ahead. We need to make sure we support our business community and create good paying jobs. And we need to ensure that every American is educated with the skills to succeed…

2:17 - “Now is a critical moment for Congress to come together and find a way to figure out our spending priorities, reduce our debt and expand economic opportunities. I look forward to hearing what the president has to say.”

2:33 – Udall discusses his first hearing as a member of the Appropriations Committee, which will take place on Thursday and center on the impacts of sequestration.

2:57 – “At the hearing, I plan to focus on how the sequester would impact New Mexico. That includes how automatic spending cuts would hit our military bases, the scientific research being done at our national laboratories, our capabilities to protect the U.S-Mexico border, and federal programs that help rural areas with housing, water infrastructure, and agriculture assistance.“

3:33 – Udall fields a couple questions on filibustering presidential nominations.