This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/15/chuck-hagel-schumer-boxer-approval
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chuck Hagel's nomination backed by two key Democratic senators | Chuck Hagel's nomination backed by two key Democratic senators |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Chuck Hagel's confirmation as US defense secretary became all but certain after two influential Democratic senators announced they would back Hagel's nomination in Congress. | Chuck Hagel's confirmation as US defense secretary became all but certain after two influential Democratic senators announced they would back Hagel's nomination in Congress. |
| Senator Charles Schumer of New York and Senator Barbara Boxer of California initially expressed concerns over Hagel's nomination – but both have now declared their support after the former Republican senator made overtures to explain his views on Iran and Israel, as well as his previous support for the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gays and lesbians from the US military. | Senator Charles Schumer of New York and Senator Barbara Boxer of California initially expressed concerns over Hagel's nomination – but both have now declared their support after the former Republican senator made overtures to explain his views on Iran and Israel, as well as his previous support for the "don't ask, don't tell" policy barring gays and lesbians from the US military. |
| "Based on several key assurances provided by Senator Hagel, I am currently prepared to vote for his confirmation. I encourage my Senate colleagues who have shared my previous concerns to also support him," Schumer said on Tuesday. | "Based on several key assurances provided by Senator Hagel, I am currently prepared to vote for his confirmation. I encourage my Senate colleagues who have shared my previous concerns to also support him," Schumer said on Tuesday. |
| Boxer said she decided to back Hagel after "receiving a detailed written response to my questions," and a long phone conversation with Hagel, who has contacted all 100 senators since his nomination was unveiled by President Obama last week. | Boxer said she decided to back Hagel after "receiving a detailed written response to my questions," and a long phone conversation with Hagel, who has contacted all 100 senators since his nomination was unveiled by President Obama last week. |
| The backing from Schumer and Boxer removes a major stumbling block in Hagel winning support from the Democratic majority in the Senate, which will vote to confirm Hagel in the post unless Republicans can muster enough votes to force a filibuster and block the nomination. | The backing from Schumer and Boxer removes a major stumbling block in Hagel winning support from the Democratic majority in the Senate, which will vote to confirm Hagel in the post unless Republicans can muster enough votes to force a filibuster and block the nomination. |
| Hagel and Schumer held a meeting at the West Wing of the White House on Monday. Schumer then met with President Obama, telling him that Hagel's "responses on Israel were critical to his decision," the Associated Press reported. | Hagel and Schumer held a meeting at the West Wing of the White House on Monday. Schumer then met with President Obama, telling him that Hagel's "responses on Israel were critical to his decision," the Associated Press reported. |
| "Senator Hagel spent approximately 90 minutes addressing my concerns one by one. It was a very constructive session. Senator Hagel could not have been more forthcoming and sincere," Schumer said in announcing his support. | "Senator Hagel spent approximately 90 minutes addressing my concerns one by one. It was a very constructive session. Senator Hagel could not have been more forthcoming and sincere," Schumer said in announcing his support. |
| As the third-ranking Democratic member of the Senate, Schumer's stance could have derailed Hagel's nomination. But the New York senator's fears were allayed by Hagel's declaration that he now opposed direct negotiations with Hamas and Hezbollah, having four years ago urged the Obama administration to hold talks with both groups. | |
| "Senator Hagel volunteered that he has always supported Israel's right to retaliate militarily in the face of terrorist attacks by Hezbollah or Hamas," Schumer said. He noted that Hagel pledged to facilitate sales of F-35 warplanes to Israel, and to continue cooperation on Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. | "Senator Hagel volunteered that he has always supported Israel's right to retaliate militarily in the face of terrorist attacks by Hezbollah or Hamas," Schumer said. He noted that Hagel pledged to facilitate sales of F-35 warplanes to Israel, and to continue cooperation on Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system. |
| In his letter to Boxer, Hagel said he intended to "expand the depth and breadth of US-Israel co-operation" in the face of historic changes in the Middle East. | |
| "As to my use of the phrase 'Jewish lobby' to describe those who advocate for a strong US-Israel relationship, I've acknowledged that this was a very poor choice of words. I've said so publicly and I regret saying it," Hagel wrote, saying he used the phrase only once: "I recognise that this kind of language can be construed as anti-Israel." | "As to my use of the phrase 'Jewish lobby' to describe those who advocate for a strong US-Israel relationship, I've acknowledged that this was a very poor choice of words. I've said so publicly and I regret saying it," Hagel wrote, saying he used the phrase only once: "I recognise that this kind of language can be construed as anti-Israel." |
| Hagel also repudiated his previous opposition to allowing gay personnel to serve in America's armed forces, telling Boxer: "I fully support the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 and value the service of all those who fight for our country." | |
| "If confirmed as secretary of defense, I will do everything possible to the extent permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all our service members," he continued. | "If confirmed as secretary of defense, I will do everything possible to the extent permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all our service members," he continued. |
| In a conference call announcing her support, Boxer said she was confident Hagel would support the policies of the Obama administration without reservation. "I feel people are being very unfair to Chuck Hagel," she said. | In a conference call announcing her support, Boxer said she was confident Hagel would support the policies of the Obama administration without reservation. "I feel people are being very unfair to Chuck Hagel," she said. |
| But Hagel may still need to win a handful of votes from his former Republican colleagues in the Senate to overcome the threat of a filibuster. | But Hagel may still need to win a handful of votes from his former Republican colleagues in the Senate to overcome the threat of a filibuster. |