Controversial Views Hold Up Hagel Confirmation, Favors Negotiations, Having Reasons To Fight War
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican lawmakers are continuing their filibuster of Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department, citing controversial statements he's made in the past.
It's the first use of the filibuster against a nomination for Secretary of Defense in American history.
Hagel came under fire at his confirmation hearing for actually saying the United States should try to negotiate with countries before invading them and wanting to bring an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But one of the most damaging statements came in an official biography, when he said, “I will do all I can to prevent war,” — a sentiment that pretty much everyone thinks is the worst idea ever.
“You are soft on defense,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said during the hearing. “How can you favor cutting the defense budget now that our wars are ending? How will the Army afford the useless equipment that’s built in my district?”
And even some Democratic senators are expressing second thoughts.
“I reviewed some of your…
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