Coats won't vote to confirm Hagel

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WANE) - Former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel will not have the support of fellow Republican Dan Coats in his bid to become the nation's next secretary of defense.

Indiana's senior senator announced Thursday on the Senate floor that he will oppose Hagel's nomination.

“Elections have consequences and a president has a right to his own advisors,” added Coats. “However, this usual tolerance of alternative views has its limits. For me, the limit is when a nominee for such a high position as the secretary of defense holds a point of view that places the United States in greater danger. I believe this is the case with this nominee.”

Coats, who supports a comprehensive effort to pressure Iran to end what he referred to in a news release as "its weapons program", raised concerns about Hagel’s views on the Iranian nuclear threat.

“I have concluded that when Senator Hagel pays lip service now to the contention that ‘all options are on the table,’ it does not reveal his real, instinctive, and strong disinclination to consider military force if all other options fail and it becomes necessary,” added Coats. “For me, that is very nearly a disqualifying position for a secretary of defense.”   

According to the Associated Press, Hagel appears to be on a path to confirmation despite significant Republican opposition.