The top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee is calling for Republican senators to block former Sen. Chuck Hagel Charles (Chuck) Timothy HagelWhile our foes deploy hypersonic weapons, Washington debates about funding Hillicon Valley: Democrats request counterintelligence briefing | New pressure for election funding | Republicans urge retaliation against Chinese hackers National security leaders, advocacy groups urge Congress to send election funds to states MORE’s (R-Neb.) confirmation once again when the Senate returns next week.

Sen. James Inhofe James (Jim) Mountain InhofeWhen 'Buy American' and common sense collide Five things to watch in talks on massive defense bill Overnight Defense: US, Russia trade blame over Syria incident | Pentagon calls out China's 'counterproductive' military exercises, missile test | Democrats press Esper on COVID-19 response MORE (R-Okla.) sent a “Dear Colleague” letter to senators Thursday lobbying for them to vote against cloture on Hagel, saying that voting to end debate is the equivalent of voting to confirm Hagel for the top Pentagon post.

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Republicans last week blocked Hagel’s confirmation from proceeding with a 58-40 vote, which was the first ever filibuster of a Defense secretary nominee.

Inhofe’s push against proceeding to a final up-or-down vote on Hagel when Congress returns puts him at odds with Sen. John McCain John Sidney McCainKelly's lead widens to 10 points in Arizona Senate race: poll COVID response shows a way forward on private gun sale checks Trump pulls into must-win Arizona trailing in polls MORE (R-Ariz.) — who stepped down as ranking member of the Armed Services panel this year — and other Republicans who say they will vote for cloture next week even if they oppose Hagel’s confirmation.

“I hope the extra time afforded to review his record has been beneficial and you once again, will join me in voting against cloture,” Inhofe wrote in the letter, obtained by The Hill.

Inhofe has been one of the most vocal opponents of Hagel, alleging that he was “cozy” with Iran and endorsed by Tehran due to statements from Iran’s foreign ministry.

McCain, Sen. Lindsey Graham Lindsey Olin GrahamSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Loeffler calls for hearing in wake of Netflix's 'Cuties' Quinnipiac poll shows Graham, Harrison tied in South Carolina Senate race MORE (R-S.C.) and other Republicans said last week that they were blocking Hagel’s nomination because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Mellman: The likely voter sham Bottom line MORE (D-Nev.) was rushing his confirmation.

They insisted that the move was not a filibuster, however, and said that once the full Senate had the recess week to look over Hagel’s record, they would vote to a proceed with an up-or-down final vote.

“I think it’s appropriate to wait until we come back,” McCain said last week. “I think there’s plenty of time to have any further questions answered and I intend to vote for cloture then. ... He’d certainly get mine and a number of others.”

Now Inhofe is calling for Republicans to block Hagel by opposing the cloture vote, rather than just delaying the confirmation. Inhofe has also called for a 60-vote threshold to clear Hagel.

“I know the Senate has traditionally deferred to the President on Cabinet nominations. However, our nation is at war,” Inhofe wrote. “The Senate must insist on confirming only the most effective leaders, not only to keep our nation safe, but to ensure our service members receive the leadership they deserve.

Inhofe laid out his concerns with Hagel in the letter on nuclear issues, Israel, Iran and the Pentagon budget.

Inhofe was also one of 15 GOP senators on a letter to Obama Thursday from Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn John CornynSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE (R-Texas) urging the White House to withdraw Hagel’s nomination.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Thursday that the White House will “absolutely not” withdraw Hagel.

“Any suggestion to the contrary might have been found in the minutes of the meetings of the Friends of Hamas,” Carney said, making light of a conservative media report that alleged Hagel had ties to the fake group.

Democrats and the White House blasted the GOP block on Hagel, accusing Republicans of playing politics and harming national security in the process.



The cloture vote on Hagel last week was one vote short of getting the necessary 60 votes, as four Republicans — Sens. Thad Cochran William (Thad) Thad CochranEspy wins Mississippi Senate Democratic primary Bottom Line Mike Espy announces Mississippi Senate bid MORE (Miss.), Mike Johanns Michael (Mike) Owen JohannsMeet the Democratic sleeper candidate gunning for Senate in Nebraska Farmers, tax incentives can ease the pain of a smaller farm bill Lobbying World MORE (Neb.), Lisa Murkowski Lisa Ann MurkowskiGOP ramps up attacks on Democrats over talk of nixing filibuster OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week | EPA reappoints controversial leader to air quality advisory committee | Coronavirus creates delay in Pentagon research for alternative to 'forever chemicals' House Democrats tee up vote on climate-focused energy bill next week MORE (Alaska) and Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsThe Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally Gideon leads Collins by 12 points in Maine Senate race: poll Senate leaders quash talk of rank-and-file COVID-19 deal MORE (Maine) — joined Democrats in favor of ending debate. Reid changed his vote to no for procedural reasons.



Cochran and Johanns have said they will vote for Hagel, and a third Republican, Sen. Richard Shelby (Ala.), said Thursday he is supporting Hagel as well.



Collins said last week she was opposed to Hagel’s nomination but would vote for cloture, and Murkowski has not said how she will vote.

Republicans wanted the delay over the recess because of requests for additional financial information over Hagel’s compensation and paid speeches.



McCain and Graham had also threatened to block Hagel over questions they wanted the White House to answer on Benghazi, but they received a letter from the administration ahead of the vote.



Nevertheless, they said they were voting against cloture because their colleagues still had unanswered questions.

Updated at 5:45 p.m.

