Reid sets up judicial vote as negotiations continue on Hagel vote

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) set up a vote on a judicial nominee for 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

At 2 p.m. the Senate will begin to consider the nomination of William Kayatta, Jr., of Maine, to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the First Circuit.

Earlier Wednesday morning, Reid said he was still hopeful that Senate leaders would reach agreement on beginning the consideration of former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) to be the next Secretary of Defense. A vote could come as early as Thursday.

Some Republicans are threatening to force a 60-vote threshold on Hagel’s nomination in order to delay the process. GOP members have said Hagel is too weak on Iran and not a strong enough alley to Israel to lead the Defense Department.

On Tuesday, the Senate Armed Service Committee voted 14-11 in favor of Hagel’s nomination, which allows Reid to bring the nomination to the Senate floor.

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