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                            US HAGEL NOMINATION - V

   The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on President Barack Obama`s
   nomination of former Senator Chuck Hagel to lead the defense
   department.
   Senate Republicans delayed a full vote on Hagel`s nomination nearly two
   weeks ago, raising complaints about their former colleague`s views on
   the Middle East, as well as the size of the country`s nuclear arsenal.
   Republicans accused Hagel of being too lenient towards Iran while being
   too critical of Israel. During his confirmation hearings before the
   Senate Armed Services Committee, Arizona Senator John McCain criticized
   Hagel about his views on the 2007 U.S. troop surge in Iraq.
   Despite their ongoing criticism, Senate Republicans indicated late
   Monday they will stop delaying an "up or down" vote on Hagel`s
   nomination.
   Once that happens, Hagel`s confirmation would be all-but-assured in the
   Democratically-controlled Senate
   He was nominated to succeed retiring Defense Secretary Leon Panetta. He
   would be the first Vietnam War veteran and the first former enlisted
   soldier to serve as Pentagon chief
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-hagel-nomination--v/1610910.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-hagel-nomination--v/1610910.html