Heller votes to delay Hagel confirmation; Reid pushes vote

WASHINGTON — Sen. Dean Heller voted Thursday to delay Senate confirmation of Chuck Hagel, as Republicans banded to block final action on the controversial defense secretary nominee.

Heller, R-Nev., said GOP senators are in the right to demand further scrutiny of Hagel, the former senator from Nebraska whose performance at a confirmation hearing two weeks ago failed to quiet critics questioning his positions on the Middle East.

But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, who has the task of advancing President Barack Obama’s choice to run the Pentagon, charged Republicans with “one stall after another.”

In a test vote called by Reid, Hagel fell short of the 60 needed to advance his confirmation. An angry Reid accused GOP senators of filibustering, a charge they denied.

“There has never in the history of the country been a filibuster of the defense secretary nominee,” Reid said.

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday approved Hagel on a 14-11 party-line vote after contentious debate.

Some Republicans led by Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said they would delay Hagel until they were given more information on the Obama administration’s handling of the terrorist attack on Sept. 11 on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, demanded Hagel supply information on payments he received from speeches over the past five years, which is three years more than normally required. Cruz suggested some fees might have been collected from “radical groups.”

“There are members of the (Armed Services) Committee that want more information, and I think it’s important for Hagel to step up and just answer the questions,” Heller said in a brief interview Wednesday evening.

If, as it turned out to be the case, Democrats fail to advance Hagel, “that is sending a message for (Hagel) to answer the questions,” Heller said.

Republicans said they want more time to consider the nominee, at least until the Senate returns from a recess the week after next.

The Senate vote was 58-30. Reid supported Hagel but switched his vote in a procedural move that allows him as majority leader to schedule a new one.

Heller previously had said he had questions about Hagel’s views on Israel, where some critics say he has not expressed sufficient support for the U.S. ally.

Heller said some of his questions lingered after he met with Hagel on Jan. 22, and he has not declared how he will vote on the nominee.

“I’m just looking for more information,” Heller said Wednesday evening.

The New York Times reported last month that billionaire Las Vegas casino owner Sheldon Adelson, a major contributor to Republican candidates and causes, “reached out directly to Republican senators to urge them to hold the line” against Hagel.

Heller said he has not been contacted by Adelson on the Hagel nomination.

Reid on Thursday said the Republicans were producing “one stall after another” on Hagel.

With departing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta scheduled to depart soon, “it is shocking my Republican colleagues would leave the nation without a fully empowered secretary of defense with all that is going on,” Reid said.

“This isn’t high school, getting ready for a football game or some play that is being produced at a high school,” Reid said. “We are trying to confirm somebody to run the military of our country.”

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephens media.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.