WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, issued the following statement today on the Senate confirming Carlos Del Toro as Secretary of the Navy by unanimous consent:

“A strong Navy is critical to our national security and global trade. The free flow of North Dakota’s exports to global markets is dependent on our Navy, and the Navy is dependent on the people from states like ours that sign up to serve as Sailors and Marines. I look forward to working with Secretary Del Toro and would be happy to host him on a trip to North Dakota to see our military capabilities firsthand.”

Senator Cramer spoke with Mr. Del Toro at his nomination hearing in July about North Dakota military priorities and how to best handle the military threat posed by China. His confirmation comes after SASC advanced this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, which contains assistance for the Navy that Senator Cramer helped secure.