So far, 21 Republicans have indicated they are opposed to Hagel’s confirmation. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Senate to vote Friday on Hagel

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Wednesday moved to end the Senate debate on whether to confirm Chuck Hagel to become the next secretary of defense. A vote is set for Friday.

The move was necessary, he said, because he could not come to an agreement with Republicans on handling Hagel’s nomination in any other way, leading minority members to opt to use their privilege to try to delay Hagel’s progress through the full chamber.


( PHOTOS: Chuck Hagel’s confirmation hearing)

"This is the first time in the history that a presidential nominee for secretary of defense has been filibustered. What a shame," Reid said on the Senate floor.

Some Republicans had earlier said they might forego a filibuster on Hagel’s nomination, so long as Democrats could produce 60 votes to confirm him, a higher standard than the simple majority of 51 he’d otherwise need. But those discussions evidently fell apart before Reid’s announcement on Wednesday afternoon, leading to his motion to end debate.

So if Democrats can muster 60 votes on Friday to cut off discussion, they could then proceed to an up-or-down vote on Hagel himself.

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Republicans have blasted Hagel for his past positions on Israel, Iran and nuclear weapons, and opponents have tried all along to block or slow his passage in the Senate. Most recently, Republicans have said he owes Congress more financial disclosure information and also that the White House has not responded to GOP requests for more information on the Sept. 11, 2012 terrorist attacks in Benghazi.

Supporters of Hagel respond that he has met the standard level of financial disclosure historically provided by secretary of defense nominees, and that Hagel’s nomination is unrelated to the attack on Benghazi.

"Sen. Hagel has nothing to do with Benghazi. Republicans keep moving the goal posts. First, it was that Secretary [of Defense Leon] Panetta and Chairman [of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin] Dempsey needed to testify, which they did, and then they asked for more financial disclosure information," a Hagel aide told POLITICO. "They know that the administration is competent, and we have the votes to confirm. They're just trying to delay."

( PHOTOS: What they’re saying about Hagel)

So far, 21 Republicans have indicated they are opposed to Hagel’s confirmation; 24 senators, including two Republicans, have indicated their support.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 4:39 p.m. on February 13, 2013.