In a statement to the press, Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois opposes the nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense:

“In 2009, Iranian leaders stole a presidential election from the people of Iran. When the people protested, the mullahs ordered their murders and mass arrests.  We will never forget Neda and many other young Iranians whose lives were taken by brutal dictators.  Today, the Iranian regime continues to deny the people of Iran the kind of basic human rights we in America take for granted.  The world must not allow this illegitimate, terror-sponsoring regime to acquire a nuclear weapons breakout capability.