McConnell not ruling out Hagel filibuster, says opposition to nominee ‘intensifying’
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) refused to rule
out a GOP filibuster of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) in an interview with a
local Kentucky TV station this weekend.
McConnell said it was “not clear yet” whether Hagel’s
confirmation to become President Obama’s next Defense secretary would be filibustered,
and said opposition to Hagel was “intensifying.”
{mosads}“Sen. Hagel did not do a very good job before the Armed Services
Committee this week,” McConnell told Kentucky’s
cn|2. “I think the opposition to him is intensifying. Whether that means he
will end up having to achieve 60 votes or 51 is not clear yet.”
McConnell’s remarks could add new fuel to a
potential filibuster of a Cabinet nominee, an unprecedented step in the Senate.
An aide to the No. 2 Senate Republican, Minority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas),
said Friday that “all options are on the table” when asked about a filibuster.
Hagel was skewered by Republicans at his confirmation
hearing last week, and several GOP lawmakers said they would oppose him afterward. But he will almost assuredly be confirmed if Republicans do not filibuster,
as no Democrats have come out against his confirmation and they hold a 55-45 advantage in the Senate.
Even if Republicans do attempt a filibuster, Hagel could secure
enough votes to break it. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) became the second Republican
senator to say he would support Hagel after Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)
endorsed him last week.
McConnell has not said how he will vote on Hagel’s confirmation, but told cn|2 he would announce his decision soon. McConnell, who served with Hagel in the Senate, called his former colleague a “smart, capable guy” in an interview last week before the confirmation hearing.
The first step for Hagel’s confirmation is a committee vote,
which could come as early as this week. Democrats hold a 14-12 advantage on the
committee.
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