Chuck Hagel Nomination
Hearings to consider the nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel (NE-R) for secretary of defense will begin on January 31 in the Senate Armed Services Committee. Although there is near unanimity among Republicans on the committee in opposition to the nomination, almost all Democrats have announced their support, and with Democrats holding a 14-to-12 majority on the committee, Senator Hagel technically does not need any Republican votes to advance beyond the committee. In nominating Senator Hagel as a replacement for outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, President Obama said: “Chuck Hagel’s leadership of our military would be historic. He’d be the…
