BackChuck Hagel confirmation vote delayed
US Senate committee chairman Carl Levin says committee’s vote on senator Hagel’s nomination has not been scheduled
PremiumWashington: A Senate committee has delayed Thursday’s expected vote on the nomination of former senator Chuck Hagel to be President Barack Obama’s next defence secretary, in a victory for his Republican critics.
“The committee’s vote on Senator Hagel’s nomination has not been scheduled," Democratic senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Wednesday in a statement.
Obama nominated Hagel, a Republican from Nebraska who served two terms in the US Senate, to replace Leon Panetta as Pentagon chief.
Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and James Inhofe told reporters they would rather see the vote postponed, with Graham saying he had yet to receive key information about payments that Hagel received for some of his speeches.
“We’re supposed to vote tomorrow but I think we should wait," he said.
“That could happen," he told reporters. But “I’m not sure who would be doing it if they do."
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
