Senate Committee Approves Hagel on Party-Line Vote

Former Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee this afternoon, setting the stage for a showdown over a proposed filibuster by Senate Republicans.

A planned walkout by committee Republicans did not materialize, and the vote broke along party lines, with 13 Democrats and one Independent voting for him while 11 Republicans voted against. Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) spoke against the nomination but was absent during the vote.

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