With the U.S. Senate preparing to consider President Barack Obama’s nomination of former Republican Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, pockets of skepticism from both the left and right have arisen, leaving the nomination an open question.
But Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, has taken the early initiative in declaring his support of Hagel. Tester’s office released a statement on Friday noting Hagel’s two Senate terms, as well as his two Purple Hearts and “numerous other decorations for his service in the Vietnam War.”
“As a decorated war hero and an experienced military strategist, Chuck Hagel is a smart choice to lead America’s military and to guide our defense strategy in the critical years ahead,” Tester said. “Senator Hagel is a strong, independent voice that I respected greatly when we served together in the Senate. I look forward to his leadership at the Pentagon.”