Portman Reacts to Senator Chuck Hagel’s Nomination To Secretary Of Defense

Release:

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today released the following statement reacting to Senator Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be the next Secretary of Defense:

“I am surprised and disappointed President Obama has chosen to move forward with Senator Hagel’s nomination given the significant concerns that both Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have expressed about Senator Hagel’s positions and past votes on issues regarding some of our closest allies and most pressing national security threats. I believe Senator Hagel should get a fair look and an opportunity to defend his record, his past comments, and his current beliefs, but I don’t understand why the Administration is looking to pick yet another political fight instead of working with Congress to solve some of the very real problems we face as a country.”