Vote scheduled on Hagel nomination; GOP filibustering

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., today scheduled a vote for Friday to attempt to break the Republican filibuster against the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., President Obama's defense secretary nominee.

This is the first time in history that a defense secretary nominee has been filibustered, Reid noted on the Senate floor today. "What a shame," he said.

The Senate needs at least 60 votes to break a filibuster and officially end debate on an issue. If there are 60 votes to end debate on Hagel's nomination, the Senate will proceed with a final vote on his confirmation. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he is optimistic they have the 60 votes.

• Panetta: "We can't just sit here and b***h"
• Graham threatens to hold up Hagel, Brennan votes

If all 55 Senate Democrats vote in favor of ending debate, they will need just five Republicans to join them. These five Republicans would not necessarily have to support Hagel's nomination -- they would simply have to oppose the filibustering of a presidential nominee. Senate tradition dictates that the president has the prerogative to nominate whomever he chooses for Cabinet positions and that nominees should not be filibustered.

Any Republicans who vote to break a filibuster might well go on to vote against Hagel's nomination, but at that point, he would only need 51 votes to be confirmed - and he can get that with Democratic votes alone.

It's very likely Hagel will have the five GOP votes needed to overcome a filibuster, but it's still unclear at this point.

So far, two Republicans have said they would vote for Hagel to be confirmed - Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb. One would assume they would also vote in favor of breaking a filibuster.

A third Republican, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced today that she will vote against Hagel's confirmation, but in favor of breaking a filibuster.

Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said last week they would not support a filibuster. CBS News is working to confirm whether or not they still hold that view -- if so, Hagel can break the filibuster. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who previously said he wouldn't support a filibuster, reportedly is considering changing his mind.

[knsn_for_cmn_sense]

WE the People of the United States must:

Secure the borders of Israel!

We must spend at least half a trillion and install 3 more bases in the middle east.

We must give Israel at least 10 billion a year to use as they please! Their politicians can use it better than we can.

This increase in military presence in the Middle East can all be PAID FOR by cuts to education, SS, Welfare and Medicare. As well as wasteful WASTEFUL infrastructure programs here. Like the electricity grid.

The preceding ad was paid for by AIPAC.

[ammo17]

if the republicans block chuck hagels nomination,they will be going the same way as the whig party.brennan i do not trust as far as i could throw him,but mr. hagel will be a great boost for the military people we have in our military service.he has been where they have been ,he knows where all the corruption is in the pentagon and he knows where all the bodies are buried.i haven`t trusted israel since they lied their butts off with the uss liberty slaughter and our spineless government went along with the lies they told.

[mrleet60]

Republicans (and I am an independent) are not unique in their use of the filibuster. While it may be the first time a cabinet level nominee selection has been filibustered; democrats routinely filibustered judicial nominees under most Republican administrations.

Despite Senate "tradition" the filibuster represents valid concerns that representatives have regarding voiced opinions and positions of this nominee. While it will likely fail to succeed, there representatives have a responsibility to address concerns of their constituents.

[TJphoto]

All this does is add fuel to the impending implosion of the Republican Party.

[Argonne18]

Take Republican and Democrat out of this dicussion and substitute AIPAC, the ISRAEL LOBBY, NEOCONS, ISRAEL FIRSTERS, DUAL LOYALISTS, FIFTH COLUMNISTS, and just old fashioned senators with their grubby hands out. That is what we are dealing with.

[baileycccc]

I could not devise a plan form the gop to run themselves into the ground that is equal to what they do on a daily basis. This failed party is a ship without a captain and a rudder. The death of the gop is at hand.

[Cowmpound]

Pubs have brain eating bacteria. Could they possibly perform worse than this? They make Reid look good! What idiots.... Moooooooooorons!

[omnibus66]

The Republicans are riding a bus with its posted destination as oblivion. Each time they make another dumb move like this the pedal gets pushed a little closer to the metal.

[filmguy107]

The CONS need to go. Never another vote for any GOP candidate...EVER.

[Cowmpound]

Not because the dems are on the money. But the pubs are moooooooorons.

[dsmith9949]

So sad to see senators acting like dancing bears while an invisible Bibi Netanyahu and Abe Foxman crack the whip. They're not living up to the "Land of the free and the home of the brave" lyrics we all like to think represent our country.

These neocons only support the troops when they are supportive of fighting bogus wars inspired by the Project for a New American Century or Protecting the Realm policies which requires the US to fight proxy wars for Israel. Anyone pushing for peace and negotiations with Arabs and Persians are called Iranian loving terrorist.