WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. John McCain, a sharp critic of Chuck Hagel’s nomination as defense secretary, says he will not support a filibuster of President Barack Obama’s pick, even though he declined to say whether he intends to vote for confirmation. Several other GOP senators also voiced reservations about a filibuster of Hagel’s nomination.
The Arizona senator told reporters Monday he does not believe a filibuster is appropriate and he would oppose such a move. His comments come two days after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell raised the possibility of forcing a showdown vote.
In the fiercest exchange of Hagel’s confirmation hearing last week, McCain questioned the nominee about the Iraq war and whether he was right or wrong in opposing an additional 30,000 U.S. troops in 2007.
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