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Pentagon nominee says military should spend more carefully

FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2014 file photo, Ashton Carter, President Barack Obama's choice to head the Defense Department, listens as the president Barack Obama announces Carter as his nominee for defense secretary Friday, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Carter says he would consider changing the current plans for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year if security conditions worsen. Carter also says he is aware of reports that Islamic State militants may try to expand into Afghanistan, and says he will work with coalition partners to ensure that doesn't happen. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2014 file photo, Ashton Carter, President Barack Obama's choice to head the Defense Department, listens as the president Barack Obama announces Carter as his nominee for defense secretary Friday, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Carter says he would consider changing the current plans for withdrawing all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by the end of next year if security conditions worsen. Carter also says he is aware of reports that Islamic State militants may try to expand into Afghanistan, and says he will work with coalition partners to ensure that doesn't happen. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

By Associated Press February 3, 2015 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama’s pick as defense secretary says Washington needs to end its budget impasse but says the Pentagon must also do its part to become better stewards of taxpayers’ dollars.

Ashton Carter makes the plea for budget stability in a prepared opening statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will consider his nomination Wednesday to replace Chuck Hagel as Pentagon chief.

A copy of Carter’s prepared statement was obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday evening.

Carter, who previously served as the No. 2 Pentagon official, is expected to easily win Senate confirmation. But he is likely to face tough questions about Iraq and other issues.

When Obama announced Carter’s nomination Dec. 5, he said Carter has a “unique blend of strategic perspective and technical know-how.”