Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement Tuesday on his vote against confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary:
“I consider Chuck Hagel a patriot, but he is not the right person to lead the world’s largest military organization in these dangerous times,” Sen. Alexander said.
Earlier today, Sen. Alexander voted to end debate on the Hagel nomination. Sen. Alexander said, “I voted to end debate on the nomination of Chuck Hagel because I believe a president’s cabinet members deserve an up-or-down vote, and there has been sufficient time to consider his record.”
On Feb. 14, Sen. Alexander voted against ending debate so Senate Republicans could pursue answers to questions and further examine Sen. Hagel’s record. The senator at the time said that “when the Senate returns on Feb. 26, there should have been sufficient time to consider Sen. Hagel’s record.”