Senate Schedules Friday Vote on Hagel

“Facing stiff Republican opposition to moving quickly on Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be secretary of Defense, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a cloture motion this afternoon to cut off debate,” Politico reports.

“Sixty votes will be required to cut off debate and then move to an up-or-down vote on the nomination; the vote is scheduled for Friday unless a deal can be reached to hold it earlier.”

Said Reid: “This is the first time in the history that a presidential nominee for secretary of defense has been filibustered. What a shame.”