Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL) on Friday issued a statement in which he detailed his misgivings with Chuck Hagel’s characterization of the Iranian government as “elected” and “legitimate” and concluded by noting that he “cannot support” the former Nebraska senator’s nomination to be the next defense secretary.
Kirk does not sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which Hagel appeared before on Thursday, and therefore his opposition will not be a factor unless the nomination is brought to a full Senate vote as is expected.
The statement:
“In 2009, Iranian leaders stole a presidential election from the people of Iran. When the people protested, the mullahs ordered their murders and mass arrests. We will never forget Neda and many other young Iranians whose lives were taken by brutal dictators. Today, the Iranian regime continues to deny the people of Iran the kind of basic human rights we in America take for granted. The world must not allow this illegitimate, terror-sponsoring regime to acquire a nuclear weapons breakout capability.“During yesterday’s confirmation hearing, Senator Hagel instinctively called the Iranian government both elected and legitimate. He initially offered strong support for containment of Iran, rather than President Obama’s stated policy of preventing an Iranian nuclear breakout. He could not clearly explain his past opposition to unilateral sanctions against Iran – opposition as recent as 2008. And at no time did he state his position on whether the European Union should formally designate Iran’s terror proxy, Hezbollah, as a terrorist organization – a critical step to cut off the flow of funds to a group responsible for the murders of some 280 American citizens.“I appreciate and respect Senator Hagel’s record of service to our country, especially as a decorated combat veteran. However, based on Senator Hagel’s testimony yesterday, on top of my existing concerns regarding his past statements and votes, I cannot support Senator Hagel’s nomination.”
