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Senate panel approves Chuck Hagel defence nomination Senate panel approves Chuck Hagel defence nomination
(35 minutes later)
A US Senate committee has approved the nomination of ex-Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to be President Barack Obama's 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 full Senate is expected to take up the nomination this week, though Republican critics have threatened to block a vote.The full Senate is expected to take up the nomination this week, though Republican critics have threatened to block a vote.
Mr Hagel's critics say they are worried by his past remarks and voting record on Israel, Iran and other issues.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. The 66-year-old former Nebraska senator 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 Senate armed services committee vote on his nomination originally scheduled for Thursday, saying they needed more information about his personal finances. On Tuesday afternoon, the Senate armed services committee voted 14-11 along party lines in favour of Mr Hagel, with one senator voting "no instruction".
But Democratic committee chairman Carl Levin and Republican Senator John McCain have said those demands went beyond what is normally asked of nominees. All the Democrats on the panel voted in favour of the appointment.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Levin urged the committee to take action on Mr Hagel's nomination. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will bring the matter to a vote in the full Senate.
"Senator Hagel has received broad support from a wide array of senior statesmen and defence and foreign policy organizations," Mr Levin wrote. Correspondents say it is likely Mr Hagel will be approved by the Senate, despite objections from at least a dozen Republicans. The vote is expected on Thursday.
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. Last week, Mr Hagel's opponents delayed a committee vote on his nomination, saying they needed more information about his personal finances.
But Democratic committee chairman Carl Levin and Republican Senator John McCain said those demands went beyond what is normally asked of nominees.
Mr Levin has noted that five former secretaries of defense and three former secretaries of state had backed Mr Hagel.
And he has 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.
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 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 years ago 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.