WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to confirm Chuck Hagel to be the nation's next defense secretary.
The vote Tuesday was 58-41, with four Republicans joining Democrats in backing President Barack Obama's nominee.
The vote ended a contentious fight over the president's choice for his second-term national security team.
Republicans opposed the former two-term Republican senator from Nebraska, casting him as out of the mainstream and overly critical of Israel. But Democrats stood together for Hagel, a twice-wounded Vietnam combat veteran.
Hagel will succeed Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who is stepping down after four years as CIA director and Pentagon chief.
The vote came just hours after Republicans dropped their delay and allowed the nomination to move forward. The Senate vote to end the filibuster was 71-27.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:52:40 GMT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
A day after laying out his counterterrorism vision, President Barack Obama is addressing future military leaders who could help carry it out in a speech to U.S. Naval Academy graduates.
With a growing sexual assault epidemic staining the military, President Barack Obama urged U.S. Naval Academy graduates Friday to remember their honor depends on what they do when nobody is looking and said the crime has "no...
Friday, May 17 2013 4:38 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:38:41 GMT
DOD photo
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday ordered the military to recertify all 25,000 people involved in programs designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday ordered the military to recertify all 25,000 people involved in programs designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:17:46 GMT
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
U.S. military personnel who were the victims of sexual or physical assault as adults are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions, according to a new study.
U.S. military personnel who were the victims of sexual or physical assault as adults are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions, according to a new study.
Chuck Hagel (U.S. Senate photo)
