Opposed To Hagel, Collins Won’t Join Filibuster

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Moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-MA) announced on Wednesday that while she remained opposed to the nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense, she would ultimately not join a filibuster against him.

“I am unable to support Senator Hagel to be the next Secretary of Defense because I do not believe his past positions, votes, and statements match the challenges of our time, and his presentations at his hearing did nothing to ease my doubts,” said Collins in a statement.

“As a general rule, I believe a President has the right to choose the members of his Cabinet, and only in extraordinary circumstances should such a nomination be filibustered,” Collins added. “I oppose Senator Hagel’s nomination, but I cannot join in a filibuster to block each Senator’s right to vote for or against him.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has filed for cloture on Hagel’s nomination, expecting a final vote on Friday.

 

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