This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21591701

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate Chuck Hagel confirmed as US defence secretary by Senate
(37 minutes later)
The US Senate has confirmed former Senator Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief, after four Republicans joined Democrats to approve his nomination.The US Senate has confirmed former Senator Chuck Hagel as the new Pentagon chief, after four Republicans joined Democrats to approve his nomination.
The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41 in a simple majority vote. The former Republican Nebraska senator was confirmed by 58-41.
Mr Hagel will replace outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta. Mr Hagel will replace outgoing Defence Secretary Leon Panetta, who was confirmed by 100-0 in June 2011.
Earlier this month, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Mr Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post. Two weeks ago, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Mr Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post.
But critics dropped the manoeuvre, the first for a defence secretary confirmation, after a week-long recess. But they dropped the filibuster stalling tactic, the first time it has ever been used to delay confirmation of a defence secretary, after a week-long recess.
Mr Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Mr Hagel ultimately only needed 51 votes to be confirmed. North Korea allegation
President Barack Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Mr Hagel ultimately only needed 51 votes to be confirmed.
Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment.Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment.
'Politically motivated delays' After the acrimonious nomination fight, President Obama said he was pleased there had been at least some bipartisan support for Mr Hagel.
After the acrimonious nomination fight, Democratic President Barack Obama said he was pleased there had been at least some bipartisan support for Mr Hagel.
"I am grateful to Chuck for reminding us that when it comes to our national defence, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, and our greatest responsibility is the security of the American people," said Mr Obama."I am grateful to Chuck for reminding us that when it comes to our national defence, we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are Americans, and our greatest responsibility is the security of the American people," said Mr Obama.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, passed a crucial procedural vote that needed the support of 60 senators.Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Hagel, a decorated Vietnam veteran, passed a crucial procedural vote that needed the support of 60 senators.
Among the sticking points in Mr Hagel's nomination process was a remark he made in a 2008 book that the "Jewish lobby" intimidated decision-makers on Capitol Hill.Among the sticking points in Mr Hagel's nomination process was a remark he made in a 2008 book that the "Jewish lobby" intimidated decision-makers on Capitol Hill.
Republican senators also said they feared the 66-year-old Mr Hagel would be too lax on Iran.Republican senators also said they feared the 66-year-old Mr Hagel would be too lax on Iran.
Ted Cruz, an outspoken conservative first-term senator from Texas, suggested without evidence that Mr Hagel had accepted payments from North Korea. During his time as a senator, Mr Hagel angered Republican party leaders when he pilloried former President George W Bush's handling of the Iraq war.
During a confirmation hearing this year, Mr Hagel sought to reassure the Senate armed services committee that he was "fully committed" to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Ted Cruz, an outspoken conservative first-term senator from Texas, recently suggested without evidence that Mr Hagel had accepted payments from North Korea.
During his confirmation hearing in January, Mr Hagel sought to reassure the Senate armed services committee that he was "fully committed" to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He also apologised for the "Jewish lobby" comment, saying he could not be defined by any single quote.He also apologised for the "Jewish lobby" comment, saying he could not be defined by any single quote.
Mr Hagel's Democratic Party supporters produced other remarks and evidence they said showed he would stick to existing US policy on Israel and Iran.Mr Hagel's Democratic Party supporters produced other remarks and evidence they said showed he would stick to existing US policy on Israel and Iran.
The White House had warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budget challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan.The White House had warned of great risks in leaving the Pentagon without a leader at a time of budget challenges and while the US has troops in Afghanistan.
Senate Democrats had meanwhile blasted their colleagues for the blocking tactics. Senate Democrats blasted their colleagues for the blocking tactics, but some Republicans protested that they needed more time to weigh the nomination.
"Politically motivated delays send a terrible signal to our allies and to the world," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. Others, including several senior Republicans on the armed services committee, said outright that they would not back Mr Hagel.
But some Republicans had said they needed more time to weigh Mr Hagel's nomination.
Others said outright they would not vote for the former Senator, including several senior Republicans on the armed services committee.