Chuck HagelHOW THEY VOTEDThere were two votes on former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s confirmation as defense secretary. One was to end debate after seven weeks. The other was on Hagel’s nomination itself.TO END DEBATETennesseeU.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander – YesU.S. Sen. Bob Corker – YesGeorgiaU.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss – YesU.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson – NoAlabamaU.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions – YesU.S. Sen. Richard Shelby – YesTO CONFIRM HAGEL AS DEFENSE SECRETARYTennesseeU.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander – NoU.S. Sen. Bob Corker – NoGeorgiaU.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss – NoU.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson – NoAlabamaU.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions – NoU.S. Sen. Richard Shelby – YesNote: All are Republicans.
WASHINGTON – Five Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama senators helped an old Republican colleague become Secretary of Defense on Tuesday. Yet only one went all the way for Chuck Hagel.
Two Tennesseans, two Alabamans and one Georgian voted to stop a seven-week limbo and allow a confirmation vote for the former senator from Nebraska. But only U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said “yes” to the big question.
He was one of four Republicans to endorse Hagel.
“I would worry about who might come if you rejected him,” Shelby said after the final vote. “He’ll do well. I hope he will. He’s a decorated soldier; give him a chance.”