WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today released the following statement after the Committee approved the presidential nomination of Gina Raimondo, Governor of Rhode Island, to be Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce, which was approved by roll call vote 21-3.

“I look forward to working with Governor Raimondo on a variety of policy matters during her tenure at the Department of Commerce,” said Wicker. “In particular, given the increase in security risks from foreign telecommunications suppliers, I hope she will take the necessary steps to protect our nation’s networks from outside threats. I appreciate Governor Raimondo’s willingness to serve in this position and expect to work with her on a bipartisan basis on issues affecting our economy and national security.”