Senate votes to move Chuck Hagel nomination forward

Former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel is on his way to becoming the next Secretary of Defense.

After a contentious confirmation process, Republicans, who previously blocked a vote on his confirmation, agreed to allow it to move forward by a final vote of 71 to 27 — well above the 60 votes needed to beat a filibuster. Hagel will likely receive far less support this afternoon when the final vote is held, but all he needs is a simple majority in the Democrat-controlled Seante.