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GOP Senator Vows To Filibuster Chuck Hagel

Angry Over Benghazi, Lindsey Graham Says No to CIA Pick Too

By Reuters

(Page 2 of 2)

The Republican lawmakers have asked for a full written record of the mixed messages. Congressional aides said the administration was supposed to deliver the information weeks ago but then pulled back claiming it was privileged information.

Many top administration officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta have testified to congressional committees on the U.S. response in Benghazi.

STILL IN COMMITTEE

Brennan and Hagel had appeared headed for approval from the committees considering their nominations but if Graham places a hold on them, it would prevent a vote by the whole Senate until Democrats could gather 60 votes to proceed. The Senate currently is composed of 53 Democrats, 45 Republicans and two independents who usually vote with Democrats.

Brennan, who faced tough questioning on controversial counterterrorism tactics during his confirmation hearings last week, would replace David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director in November after a sex scandal.

Last week the Senate Armed Services Committee delayed a vote on Hagel’s confirmation amid Republican demands for more information on the former Republican senator.

Hagel’s backers still are confident he will succeed the retiring Panetta as Pentagon chief and have called the Republican delays and threats to block the vote political posturing.

Democratic Senator Jack Reed, like Graham a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he supports asking questions of the nominees but said Graham was going too far.

“To turn around and say, ‘I’m going to disrupt essentially the nomination of two key members of the president’s cabinet,’ I don’t think that’s appropriate,” Reed said on “Face the Nation.” “I don’t think its warranted. I think it is an overreaction that is not going to serve the best interests of going forward with the national security of the United States.”