WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) issued the following statement today on his vote to confirm Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense:

"Chuck Hagel has served our country with distinction and honor from his beginnings as an Army Sergeant, to representing the people of Nebraska in the Senate.  After meeting with Sen. Hagel and examining his extensive record, I am confident he is well prepared to lead the Department of Defense and protect the security of our nation.  He will assume this new office during a time of unprecedented challenges, and I will continue to work with him to ensure that New Mexico's military bases and the critical work done at Los Alamos and Sandia labs remain priorities."