Panel Backs Hagel For U.S. Defense Chief
The vote by the Senate Armed Services Committee sets the stage for a vote on the nomination by the full Senate, perhaps as soon as later this week.
The February 12 committee vote was 14-11, with senators from the Republican Party — of which Hagel is a member — voting against him.
Members of Obama’s Democratic Party, who hold a Senate majority, were able to push through the president’s nomination.
Hagel, a former senator from Nebraska and Vietnam War veteran, has faced opposition from Republicans, who have raised questions about whether he is a strong enough supporter of America’s ally Israel and has tough enough views on how to counter Iran’s nuclear program.
Based on reports from Reuters and AP
Source: RFE/RL
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