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Subscribe to RSSThe Senate Armed Services Committee votes in favor of the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary.
After an angry two-hour debate, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to approve the nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense Tuesday, setting the stage for a Senate floor vote on his confirmation, possibly later this week.
The vote was along party lines, 14 to 11, with another likely “no” vote from Sen. David Vitter, R-La. to be added later.
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Armed Services Committee chairman Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said although some Republican senators strongly oppose Obama’s policies, the vote on Hagel nomination “will not change those policies.”
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Former Senator Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the next secretary of defense on Capitol Hill Jan. 31, 2013.
Levin added that he saw a risk that the defeat of Hagel’s nomination would leave the Defense Department “leaderless” at a time of budget pressures and when “our military is engaged in combat operations overseas.”
Levin said that especially on the day that North Korea had detonated a nuclear device, a delay in approving the nomination would “send the exact wrong message to North Korea.”
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., cited Hagel’s service as an Army soldier in the Vietnam War as a prime reason to vote for him. “That told me right there everything I needed to know – that he would not hesitate to defend this country,” said Manchin.
But a leading Hagel opponent, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said confirming the former Nebraska senator as defense secretary “will make military conflict in the next four years substantially more likely” because it would encourage the Tehran regime to accelerate its nuclear weapons development program.
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee engage in a sharp discussion regarding Chuck Hagel's nomination as defense secretary and his disclosure of personal income.
Cruz also insinuated that Hagel might have given as-yet undisclosed speeches to “extreme or radical groups” or received money from foreign sources or from defense contractors in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Senate rules require a cabinet nominee to disclose fees and payments he received in excess of $5,000 in the two years prior to the nomination. Hagel complied with that rule, but Cruz sought information about payments he’d gotten in the five years prior to his nomination.
Coming to Hagel’s defense, Levin countered that the nominee had told the committee that in the past ten years he has not received any compensation from foreign governments or entities controlled by a foreign government.
Following Cruz’s harsh criticism of Hagel, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., charged that “Sen. Cruz has gone over the line” by implying Hagel was too cozy with Tehran regime. “He basically has impugned the patriotism of the nominee."
Cruz then answered Nelson, denying that he’d impugned Hagel’s patriotism and said that instead he had questioned his firmness in dealing with Iran.
Levin told Cruz if he had uncovered evidence that Hagel had not truthfully answered the panel’s questions or requests for financial information, he should provide it to the committee.
Two weeks ago, Hagel delivered an often stumbling and awkward performance in his confirmation hearing before the committee, repeatedly having to retract, clarify, apologize for, or amend his views or the manner in which he phrased them.
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The low point came when Levin had to correct Hagel’s clarification on President Barack Obama’s position on Iran’s efforts to build a nuclear weapon.
“It was the most unimpressive performance that I have seen in watching many nominees who came before the committee,” said Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., at Tuesday’s committee meeting, later adding that Hagel’s testimony was “the worst I have seen of any nominee for office.”
McCain said it was “very disturbing” that Hagel had not answered McCain’s question about the success of the U.S. troop surge in Iraq in 2007.
The Arizona Republican also condemned what he called Hagel’s “gratuitous” rhetorical attacks on President George W. Bush.
Another Hagel foe, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said “there’s the left lane in politics, the right lane, and the middle lane – and when it comes to some of the Iranian-Israeli issues, there’s the Chuck Hagel lane … There are very few people who have been this wrong about so many different things.”
Senate Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, R- Ky., indicated in comments to reporters a few hours before the committee Tuesday that Republican senators might insist on extended floor debate on the nomination, perhaps requiring a cloture vote, needing 60 senators, to end debate.
“I wouldn't be surprised if we do have a cloture vote on the Hagel nomination,” McConnell said.
He added that “Every time the (the Democratic) majority files cloture, they call it a filibuster. Cloture vote actually is designed to end debate and to go to a vote.”
He explained that, “Sometimes cloture is not invoked because there has not been adequate information that been requested, yet received. Sometimes cloture is not invoked because you want to kill a nomination. There are a number of members on the committee who feel the requests for information have not yet been met.”
There are 55 senators in the Democratic caucus so if the Republicans insist on a cloture vote, then five GOP senators would need to join the Democrats in ending the debate and moving to a confirmation vote.
NBC News Capitol Hill Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell contributed to this story
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Hagel is good choice, he actually served in combat, not some thinktank.
I cannot believe how bitter McCain became after he lost the Presidential race in 2008; he obviously is never going to get over it. What a sad way for him to be remembered......"a bitter old man". And Miss Lindsay that's another story. She's afraid of the tea baggers running someone against her in the primary next election cycle.
So true - a bitter old man making a fool of himself along with a pathetic politician following him around to be sure he gets some of the spotlight. It's time for both of them to go home.
You forget that these people were elected by those they represent and none of your whining or sophomoric insults will make them go away. STFU!
So many Democrats are just complete mind-numbed partisan robots with nothing upstairs at all. The Democratic Party is their religion, and they cannot even form a coherent political thought outside of that.
McCain is going after Hagel for good reason, and following a horrible confirmation performance.
To Dusty, and the other hyper-partisan braindead DemoRat sheep, this means he "must be bitter".
"He opposes my president's choice for 1 office, he must be bitter, boohoo".
This lock step mentality and party-as-religion notion has been a mainstay of the Demoncats ever since FDR. Bob Hope had a great line in the GhostBreakers about this, an old movie you can catch. They were the same zombies then that they are now.
Hey, hey, you don't criticize Democrat pres appointments. Hey, hey, that's my party. That's my
religionparty.I bet 100,000 people don't ever know people why they think Hagel in anti Israel. He made one comment regarding the Jewish lobby group,AIPAC and the power it has in American politics..In fact, AIPAC has been criticized in Israel...
The party of NO is continuing its stupid tactics. The problem is that the majority of Americans are getting sick and tired of them and their do-nothing ways. This is just another game to the Republicans - one of theirs has turned his back on them and now is the time for payment - hold up the confirmation. What a bunch of garbage.
well buffon better check dirty harrys desk .the repubs send bills to harry and harry buries. no senate budget for 4 yrs now gee get a life freak better yet get a brain so you can move out of the basement
Block him with any means possible
Sorry pal, yet again, the forces of darkness (GOP) will lose this battle.
We'll see......I think he might have trouble
The most entertaining thing I have seen here is liberals mourning the loss of respect for the office of the president, and tradition of the right to select cabinet members without much fuss. Did you forget your own behaviour from the Bush years? You pioneered new levels of hatered and waved all claims to civility you could have claimed now. If you really believe it was right to voice strongly your opposition then, how can you fault T baggers for doing the same. Bush after all won election by a wder margin than Obama did. I know some of you operate under the delusion that more people think like you than do. But you are still about 48 percent.
SANE, please list for me the Democrats who have shouted out during the SOU address "you lie" or questioned Dubya's patriotism or origin of birth??? And while your at it, list for me the number of inane, unnecessary wars that Obama has lied us into?
Yes, I detest Bush and think he damn near wrecked this nation both domestically as well as internationally and militarily. The facts speak for themselves. To quote the patron saint of the GOP, The Gipper, "are you better off today than you were 8 years ago"? As in the years 2000 to 2008. If you say you and the nation at large were left in better shape on Dubya's last day you are either being intellectually dishonest or are delusional.
And you're part of the 37%...Who wouldn't even vote for Reagan today..The god of the GOP..
Obama has a way to go before he reaches the threshold of absurdity set by Bush with the John Bolton nomination. Then there was Harriet Miers who was so absurd that she withdrew her SCOTUS nomination. He did manage to get Gonzales confirmed but "Gonzo" he had to race out of town before he was indicted. By any comparison, the Bush nominees demanded strong opposition. If John Roberts were to face confirmation today even the GOP would rise up against him because of his "Obamacare" decision ~ but until then he was the best thing since sliced bread in conservative circles. Hagel will be confirmed for there are at least a half dozen GOP senators that are not as bitter and party-driven as McCain, Inhofe, Graham, Ayotte, and Cruz. It only takes five. Reid will shut the Senate down to any other business until this vote is taken. The sequester clock is ticking, GOPers. Have fun.
And don't forget the head of FEMA during the Bush the Lesser Administration. Brown's only experience was in holding horse shows. Katrina was his worst nightmare, when he suddenly realized he had a job and needed to understand how to get things done....and they all utterly failed together, but (again) no one was held accountable. The GOP was too busy insisting everyone wear a flag pin on their lapels, and that Iraq was, really, the same as Al Quida, so lets go blow them up. Americans have had enough bluster and horse manure. The elections are showing that the message is on the internet, and very hard to control.
The failures during Katrina were all by the local Democratic officials, including since indicted felon Mayor Nagin who failed to evacuate the city, and the worthless governor of the state, who refused initially to allow in other military units to help out.
There wasn't even supposed to be any people in New Orleans for FEMA to have to rescue, (the Coast Guard did all the work, and performed heroically--Bush federal govt guys---). The city was supposed to be evacuated. They had an emergency evacuation plan--the mayor was supposed to evacuate the city. This is the case in every city across the US. The mayor evacuates it, not Washington DC.
Since we have a lying, rotten, partisan far left media, Nagin didn't get ripped or the governor, they went all out after Bush.
Bush was the backup plan, and did pretty good, at least his federal Coast Guard, actually lifting people out of the water zone in the hundreds, maybe thousands.
sane have you noticed how ozzie boy never answered the question. i think he is one of those minimum wage obozo/soros hired bloggers.
Sen. Cruz seems to have been instructed that some minimal level of proof is needed to destroy someone else's reputation. Unfortunately for the Tea Party, innuendo isn't good enough anymore. Good for Carl Levin. Cruz, Graham and company seem to think they can run this country by threatening personal destruction. After two decades of Newt Gingrich, Dick Cheney and the Tea Party, Democrats seem to have finally had enough. If you want to block someone, block them but stop with the politics of personal destruction in the hope that they will withdraw and save you the trouble of standing up for your own (insane) beliefs or having to actually prove what you imply. The treatment of Susan Rice was a travesty and she didn't do anything any one of the republicans spokespeople haven't done plenty of time.
Cruz just got off the bus on January 2nd ~ he's a newbie who is willing to be an attack dog for the GOP ~ especially the Tea Party element which endorsed his candidacy. Cruz is safe ~ he won't face voters again for six more years so he can be a snot-nosed brat for ultra-conservatives and pay no immediate price. Teddy expects to use his party loyalty to elevate his status within the ranks of the Republican Party. With that established, take most of his antics and commentary with a large grain of salt. They are both self-serving.
"Rubio is going too be a rock star in the political world.' This is the problem, from Obama too Boehner...everyone of them "Rock Stars"...A stagnate Stalemate, while they suck down lobster every night laughing their a$$'s off at how simple us common folk are, while their corporate masters finger the strings too make them smile for the camera's. Some day computer's will decide political options and the public can vote on what they think is best for the country(world?), getting rid of these tan, hair-do's(and don't's)...the world will be a much better place!
If their corporate masters control everything, why didn't they stop the tax hike in January?
All those rich corporate masters are already paying, thru their personal income, most the taxes, why is that, first of all, and why did they allow another tax hike on top of that in January?
Since they control everything.
You are Naive if you Don't think corporation's are running America right now chesty.' Maybe they were afraid the middle class would kick there butts over too china too live if we kept giving them corporate welfare(the tax hike.)! And don't try and make me cry for corporations, their profits are up 10 fold from just 10 years ago!
McCain said "It was the most unimpressive performance that I have seen." No wonder they loved Reagan. They are looking for actors, not capable people.
If completely bombing your confirmation hearing means anything, Hagel won't have the votes.
However, since I believe the bar you have to reach is "the president who nominated him is from my party", then he should get thru.
Just depends if Senate GOP'ers want to filibuster him.
I think they should out of revenge for the Dems filibustering John Bolton in Bush's 2nd term. Same exact situation, party in power had 55 Senate seats, Bush picked a UN Ambassador guy who would have been good at speeding the UN along, and the 45 minority Dems blocked it.
The problem with your Bolton example is that he ultimately got the job as UN ambassador on a recess appointment and accomplished not one damned thing except weaken US relations among friendly nations.
But Chesty likes Revenge "jim in Texas"...sweet Beautiful Revenge!...Too hell with the country...
This new Senator Cruz is the lowest form of filth. But not surprising since he's from Texas.
Best state in the Union. Biggest in the continental too fer sure!
Yep ~ it takes a pretty low lifeform to make Sen John Cornyn (R-TX) look good. Teddy "Teabag" Cruz has managed to do that in less than 60 days.
Too bad chesty doesn't live in Texas. The people here have to put up with bull@!$%# like this from the RWNJs all the time. Thank God they have only infected us at the state level. Most of the local people are Democrats. Worst state in the union. # 50 on most everything people should be ashamed of. Most people w/. no insurance(especially women now thanks to perry). Most underfunded in education in the nation. Most teen aged unwed mothers in the nation. Lowest paying jobs in the nation. I could go on but you get the idea. But the politicians will tell you it is great for business. Of course it is if you want a dumb workforce,that you don't have to pay a fair wage or provide insurance for them. How dare those people want a fair wage and basic insurance.
most unwed mom? sounds like typical demorat welfare trash.
Hagel is a Viet Nam vet, a former Republican senator, well-versed in defense and foreign affairs, but the Republicans still don't want him. Gee, do you think it could have anything to do with the fact that the black guy in the White House is the one who put his name forward? Nah, they wouldn't really be that petty and vindictive, not when North Korea is testing nuclear weapons and Iran is saber rattling and defense cuts are in the works. They wouldn't really leave defense rudderless while all these important issues are looming on the horizon. They wouldn't put our country and our defense at risk just to practice partisan politics. Not those super patriots in the GOP! Yeah, right! Someone needs to retire McCain and Graham, they have reached the end of their useful lives.
OMG Ted Cruz impugning Hagel or anyone else!
The republicons have been obstructing everything else for the last 32 years. Why not another cabinet nomination?
Or is that republiclowns?
The people foolishly voted for gridlock when they voted for the most divisive and polarizing president ever. There is not an once of conciliation in Obama's arrogant spirit.
Think positive people! The bluster over the Hagel nomination for Defense Secretary is just another nail in the Republican Party coffin!!
It wouldn't matter who the Republicans were opposed to. You dumbass Lefturds would oppose their opposition. All you dumbass's are crying about a Republican having trouble being confirmed. I guess the only way we can get anyone to be accepted by you dumbass's is for the Republicans to oppose them?
Hilarious. I guess we could get you people to dislike a Democrat by Republicans loving him? Anything to bitch about right?
another comment from the northern cesspool of miinesota
Another example of attempted character assassination and obstructionism. Republicans continue to provide proof they are not capable of acting in the interests of the American people.
Not surprising. Both Grahm and McCain are now significant entities in the senate, and are seeking some press time to enhance their own position. McCain Has no leadership role or committee chairmanship, nd has become an angry old man, who wants everyone to believe he is still revelant force, which he isn't..Time to go John..Gramhan is a twit, who continues to make an ass out of himself, with his stupid comments that make no sense..What has this continued persuit of the Presidents action concerning Bengazi have to do with Hagles nomination. I regret the death of our four individuals in Bengazi, but I don't hear anything drom either of these two about the death of mass shooting deaths in the U.S. are these individuals somehow less significant than Ambassors, or government employees "No" So why don't these guys step forward and take an active role concerning these people, rather than beating to death the Bengazi incicent, which has been examined, quesioned. and all the information is there to see..Get real, and get onto doing some work on our problems.
I remember well the last total failure as SOD; his name was Les Aspin. He quit after a few months because of a military debacle in Somolia. Just because Hagel served and was wounded in Vietnam does not mean he is the right choice.
Hagel will be confirmed, so he should study and memorize Obama's "containment" policy to better articulate what to say in the future.
Obama being President sends the wrong message to the North Koreans. I wouldn't worry about Hagel--he will be just another puppet.
Cruz is a Joe McCarthy wannabe and with less intelligence. To slander a nominee without any proof to back up the allegations or insinuations should subject Cruz to an ethics investigation [if Congress had any ethical standards].
If Cruz "meant" that he believes Hagel is not aggressive enough on Iran, then SAY SO. But to accuse him of "possible" bribes is not only stupid and juvenile, it is totally irresponsible for someone holding a Senate seat.
How is it that Obama supporters cant think of a better nominee than Hagel? Surely better can be found? Surely less divisive and more qualified? What was the president thinking?
Obama appeared to be thinking sanity. Hagel isn't divisive, his detractors are, and devious too, and underhanded, etc.
Hagel is not qualified as is evidence by his hearing/job interview. His confirmation hearing was an embarrassment. Didn't you see any of it?
I didn't see all of it, because I understood what was coming; I did see some of the Graham "questions" on C-Span; that turned my stomach for the reasons listed before. It was like a McCarthy inquisition with the same attitude, but a different approach.
it should be an inquisition type hearing you idiot. the chosen person would be the head of the most powerful military in the world where we have real enemies that would love nothing better than to nuke us you @!$%#ing idiot. its not game time anymore
75th you add up to a zero. Your comments are obnoxious to all, but that's your style and ability, just like Graham and the rest of the fascist types.
It's simple and it's formulaic;
Hagel 'ON' --> Iran 'OFF' --> Israeli Apartheid 'OFF' --> Israeli Lobby 'OFF'.
It's nearly a Zero Sum game - it's useful to keep this in mind considering the major Israeli propaganda thrust to prevent a clear understanding of this.
Let's keep our mind on the prize here.
The primary prize Obama is driving for is America's own ‘clean break’ from the stranglehold of the Israeli Lobby as it currently stands
The key is Iran and thus Hagel is the key.
For those who had given up on the permanent entrenchment of the Israeli Lobby - no war on Iran knocks the door down.
The key is Iran - by successfully stopping this KEY neocon strategic thrust the US is managing to free itself from the dictates of AIPAC and Israel over the US political process, foreign policy, and military strategies
The ONLY thing that matters right now is that Obama and Hagel stop Netanyahu and the Israel Lobby from forcing/mousetrapping the US into an attack on Iran - THAT'S IT.
It's a 'single issue'
If an Iran attack is stopped, Israeli Apartheid is without any effective cover and will be taken care of how Apartheid South Africa was taken care of - and then the Israeli Lobby no longer has any cover as well.
With the Netanyahu-hoaxed/mousestrapped pushing of the US into a war with Iran STOPPED - it's all over for Israeli Apartheid
Hagel 'ON' = Iran 'OFF' = Israeli Apartheid 'OFF' = Israeli Lobby 'OFF'
(The Israeli Lobby 'OFF' = the 2nd American Revolution)
you sir are a certifiable lunatic
That is truly laughable coming from someone with your abilities of "analysis" and your "wisdom". They're in quotes because they are truly lacking in reality.
I get what Blutopie1 is saying 75th. I also think we invaded Iraq because of Israel....little issue about Iraq lobbing Scud missile's at them in 1998-1999?
We need to have somebody with balls in the cabinet who will pursue US interests in our defense ministry.
there are more than enough spineless, israeli slaves in the senate and the house whose priorities are f*cked.
I personally do not give a s*it what country these slimey, sneaky snakes prefer to live in, but, I have an issue these losers questioning the integrity of Hagel whose only mistake appears to be saying that he is a US Senator.
This is US congress , damn it, not freaking knesseett!
hagel like obozo is real weak in the integrity dept.
McCain should follow the example of the Pope and admit he can't keep up to modernization in todays politics. As well that village he comes from in Arizona really wants their idiot back.