Thursday, February 14, 2013

Senate Republicans have questioned Chuck Hagel's truthfulness and they've challenged his patriotism. Now they're threatening to stonewall his nomination to be President Barack Obama's defense secretary unless the White House gives them more information about what Obama was doing on the night of the deadly attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has set the stage for a full Senate vote on Hagel, a former Republican senator from Nebraska and twice-wounded Vietnam combat veteran. Reid filed a motion Wednesday to limit debate and force a vote, which is expected to be held Friday.

Democrats hold a 55-45 edge in the Senate, but they need the support of five Republicans to clear the way for an up-or-down vote.