New US Defense Secretary Confirmed

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　　The Senate confirmed Hagel Tuesday, just days before the start of automatic spending cuts, half of which will affect national security.  Senate Majority Leader Harry⁷ Reid:

　　“In three days, across-the-board cuts to defense spending are scheduled to take effect," said Reid. "The Pentagon needs a seasoned leader to implement⁸ these cuts.”

　　Two weeks ago, Republicans blocked a final vote on Hagel, saying they needed more time to consider the nomination.  On Tuesday, more than a dozen Republicans joined with Democrats⁹ to end debate.  But bipartisanship virtually disappeared four hours later, when all but four Republicans voted against confirmation¹¹ in the Democrat-controlled chamber¹².

　　Senator John Cornyn was among those who cast a ‘no’ vote, citing Hagel’s statements at his confirmation hearing earlier this month.

　　“Senator Hagel described the murderous, terrorist-sponsoring Iranian theocracy¹³ as an ‘elected legitimate¹⁴ government’.  That comment is a slap in the face to all the courageous¹⁵ Iranian democracy activists¹⁶ who have risked their lives, and in many cases given their lives, to oppose the dictatorship and promote freedom.  There is no way to sugarcoat it: Senator Hagel’s performance before the Senate Armed Services Committee was remarkably¹⁷ inept¹⁸.  And we should not be installing a defense secretary who is obviously not qualified¹⁹ for the job," said Cornyn.

　　Cornyn and other Republicans also criticized Hagel’s comments on Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s perceived clout²⁰ in U.S. politics.

　　Democrats said many of Hagel’s comments have been mischaracterized or taken out of context.  Senator Carl Levin noted²¹ Hagel’s unique military background.

　　“Senator Hagel would be the first former enlisted²² man and the first veteran of the Vietnam War to serve as secretary of defense," said Levin. "This background gives Senator Hagel an invaluable²³ perspective.”

　　Democratic Senator Tom Carper cautioned his Republican colleagues against setting a damaging precedent²⁴ of partisan¹⁰ obstruction²⁵ to presidential Cabinet picks.

　　“Some day we will have a Republican president again," said Carper. "Someday we will have a Republican majority here.  Just be careful - I say this with respect - be careful of the bed that we make.  Because someday our friends on the other side [Republicans] will get to lie in it.”

　　Republicans countered that President Obama should have put forth²⁶ a less-divisive nominee²⁷ who would have attracted bipartisan support.

　　Senator Roger Wicker:

　　“If a Republican president in the future brings a nomination for defense secretary to this Senate who cannot get as many as 60 votes, I will ask that Republican president to withdraw that nomination, and wish this president [Obama] would do the same," said Wicker.

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