Hagel left waiting for Senate vote

Tools

Story Created: Feb 15, 2013 at 12:32 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 15, 2013 at 5:50 PM CDT

Chuck Hagel will likely have to wait another week and a half to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense. Senate Republicans forced an unprecedented, de-facto filibuster.

Democrats needed 60 votes to block a filibuster, but a vote Thursday afternoon was 58 to 40.

Nebraska Senator Mike Johanns is one of just two Republicans to show support.

Deb Fischer isn't ready to approve him and she's not alone. There's GOP opposition surrounding questions about Hagel's finances and tension between some Republican senators and the White House over the terror attack in Benghazi.

Republicans have signaled they'd be willing to allow the nomination to proceed after recess, when only a simple majority of 51 votes is required to end a filibuster.

The Senate is not in session next week.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid set another cloture vote for Tuesday, February 26th.

On Demand

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Local Gas Prices

Lowest Gas Prices in Tri-Cities
Nebraska Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com

KHASTV on Facebook

Weather Closings