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Senate committee weighs Chuck Hagel nomination Senate panel approves Chuck Hagel defence nomination
(35 minutes later)
The US Senate armed services committee is debating a confirmation vote on ex-Republican Senator Chuck Hagel, President Barack Obama's nominee for secretary of defence. A US Senate committee has approved the nomination of ex-Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to be President Barack Obama's secretary of defence.
The panel postponed a vote last week on the nomination amid opposition from Mr Hagel's fellow Republicans. The full Senate is expected to take up the nomination this week, though Republican critics have threatened to block a vote.
Critics say they are worried about his past statements and voting record on Israel, Iran, Iraq and nuclear weapons. Mr Hagel's critics say they are worried by his past remarks and voting record on Israel, Iran and other issues.
If confirmed, Mr Hagel will replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.If confirmed, Mr Hagel will replace Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.
He would be the first Vietnam veteran to run the defence department.He would be the first Vietnam veteran to run the defence department.
'A principled stand''A principled stand'
Last week, Mr Hagel's opponents delayed a committee vote his nomination originally scheduled for Thursday, saying they needed more information about his personal finances. Last week, Mr Hagel's opponents delayed a Senate armed services committee vote on his nomination originally scheduled for Thursday, saying they needed more information about his personal finances.
But Democratic committee chairman Carl Levin and Republican Senator John McCain have said those demands went beyond what is normally asked of nominees.But Democratic committee chairman Carl Levin and Republican Senator John McCain have said those demands went beyond what is normally asked of nominees.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Levin urged the committee to take action on Mr Hagel's nomination.In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Levin urged the committee to take action on Mr Hagel's nomination.
"Senator Hagel has received broad support from a wide array of senior statesmen and defence and foreign policy organizations," Mr Levin wrote."Senator Hagel has received broad support from a wide array of senior statesmen and defence and foreign policy organizations," Mr Levin wrote.
Mr Levin also noted that five former secretaries of defence and three former secretaries of state had backed Mr Hagel. And he warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budgetary challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan.Mr Levin also noted that five former secretaries of defence and three former secretaries of state had backed Mr Hagel. And he warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budgetary challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan.
Mr Hagel's supporters are also trying to put off a threatened attempt to block a vote on Mr Hagel in the full Senate, a procedural manoeuvre known as a filibuster.Mr Hagel's supporters are also trying to put off a threatened attempt to block a vote on Mr Hagel in the full Senate, a procedural manoeuvre known as a filibuster.
"I'm encouraging my colleagues if they want to vote against Sen Hagel that's one thing and that's a principled stand," Mr McCain told reporters."I'm encouraging my colleagues if they want to vote against Sen Hagel that's one thing and that's a principled stand," Mr McCain told reporters.
"We do not want to filibuster. We have not filibustered a cabinet appointee in the past and I believe that we should move forward with his nomination, bring it to the floor and vote up or down.""We do not want to filibuster. We have not filibustered a cabinet appointee in the past and I believe that we should move forward with his nomination, bring it to the floor and vote up or down."
Iraq War scepticIraq War sceptic
Mr McCain has not indicated whether he supports Mr Hagel's nomination.Mr McCain has not indicated whether he supports Mr Hagel's nomination.
Mr Hagel, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, served in the Senate for 12 years.Mr Hagel, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, served in the Senate for 12 years.
But correspondents say he is seen by some of his former colleagues as a renegade for breaking with Republican ranks on issues such as the Iraq War.But correspondents say he is seen by some of his former colleagues as a renegade for breaking with Republican ranks on issues such as the Iraq War.
He has also been criticised during the confirmation process for comments he made claiming "the Jewish lobby" had too much influence over American policy.He has also been criticised during the confirmation process for comments he made claiming "the Jewish lobby" had too much influence over American policy.
His remarks in 1998 that a nominee for an ambassadorial post was "openly, aggressively gay" have also raised eyebrows. Mr Hagel has since apologised for that comment.His remarks in 1998 that a nominee for an ambassadorial post was "openly, aggressively gay" have also raised eyebrows. Mr Hagel has since apologised for that comment.