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Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Sen. Chuck Hagel to be the next Defense Secretary, ending a nearly two-month, contentious approval process that saw most Senate Republicans oppose Hagel as President Obama’s pick to succeed Leon Panetta. Hagel’s swearing-in is planned for Wednesday, according to a Pentagon release. “I will be counting on Chuck’s judgment and counsel as we end the war in Afghanistan, bring our troops home, stay ready to meet the threats of our time, and keep our military the finest fighting force in the world,” said Obama in a statement on Feb. 26 following the vote. The Senate approved Hagel’s nomination by a vote of 58 to 41. Joining the chamber’s Democrats and Independents in favor of the nomination were just four Republicans: Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.), Sen. Mike Johanns (Neb.), Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.), and Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.). Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) did not vote. The confirmation vote came several hours after a cloture motion passed by a margin of 71 to 27, ending debate on the nomination and clearing the way for the final vote. Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters on Tuesday that Hagel “has spent a great deal of time over several weeks getting briefed up on the work ahead.” (Includes AFPS report by Jim Garamone) (Little transcript)
U.S. Southern Command recently announced its first lethal strike on a suspected narco-trafficking vessel in two months, and the first under a newly formed permanent counter-cartel task force. The U.S. is also reportedly planning to transfer MQ-9 drones to Colombia to bolster its counter-cartel efforts.