Reid: After VAWA, Senate will vote on Hagel confirmation

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said that once work on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is finished the Senate would proceed to a vote on the confirmation of Chuck Hagel to be Secretary of Defense.

Reid said the Senate might have to delay six amendment votes on VAWA until Tuesday because some senators’ flights have been delayed due to bad weather.

The Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to vote on Hagel’s confirmation on Tuesday. Reid said the Senate would take up his confirmation Wednesday or Thursday, assuming he makes it through the committee. 

“Never in history has there been a filibuster on a defense nomination, and I hope that will continue," Reid said on the floor Monday.

The former GOP senator from Nebraska has faced some opposition from members of his own party. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) on Sunday warned he would force a 60-vote majority on a Hagel confirmation.

Republicans have criticized Hagel for being weak on Iran and not being a strong enough ally to Israel.

Reid said after Hagel’s nomination and a weeklong state work period, the Senate would take up the nominations of Jack Lew to be secretary of the Treasury and John Brennan to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

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