Report: Johanns to back Hagel nomination

Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) reportedly announced Saturday that he will support former Sen. Chuck Hagel's (R-Neb.) nomination to become secretary of Defense.

The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Johanns would become the second Republican senator to publicly back Hagel's bid, following Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). Several Republican senators have indicated they will oppose Hagel's nomination on the Senate floor.

Hagel faced a bruising nomination hearing Thursday, when he found himself being grilled by some of his former Republican colleagues. The eight-hour hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee saw Hagel face withering questions from mostly Republican lawmakers, as Democrats on the panel largely supported President Obama's pick to lead the Pentagon after the outgoing Leon Panetta.

At the hearing, Hagel had to disavow some of his previous statements he "regretted." For example, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) brought up Hagel's past comment that Israel kept Palestinians "caged up like animals." He also faced criticism for once commenting that the "Jewish lobby" intimidates figures in Washington.

Hagel could secure the nomination with just Democratic support, so long as no GOP member opted to filibuster the pick.

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