WASHINGTON — A group of 15 Republican senators is calling on President Obama to withdraw the nomination of Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary, the latest move in a contentious battle to block the confirmation of their former colleague.
But even as Republican senators tried to throw up another obstacle, Senate Democrats were pushing ahead with plans to hold a vote on Mr. Hagel’s nomination by Tuesday.
While Mr. Hagel seems likely to be confirmed, Republicans signaled in a letter to Mr. Obama on Thursday that they would not let the issue die quietly.
Saying that Mr. Hagel’s confirmation would be “unprecedented” because of near-unanimous opposition from Republicans, the senators urged Mr. Obama to pick another candidate.
“Over the last half-century, no secretary of defense has been confirmed and taken office with more than three senators voting against him,” they wrote. “The occupant of this critical office should be someone whose candidacy is neither controversial or divisive.”
Signing the letter were John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Senate Republican; Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina; Roger Wicker of Mississippi; David Vitter of Louisiana; Ted Cruz of Texas; Mike Lee of Utah; Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania; Marco Rubio of Florida; Dan Coats of Indiana; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; James E. Risch of Idaho; John Barrasso of Wyoming; and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.
Members of the group cited a litany of objections, including Mr. Hagel’s unimpressive showing at his confirmation hearing, which drew criticism from members of both parties, and what they said was his “dangerous” posture toward dealing with Iran.
The level of derision directed at Mr. Hagel from Republicans has been striking not just because defense secretaries are usually confirmed on a simple up-or-down vote, but also because Mr. Hagel, a Republican, served with many of them in the Senate until 2008.
“Senator Hagel’s performance at his confirmation hearing was deeply concerning, leading to serious doubts about his basic competence to meet the substantial demands of the office,” they said.
Senate Republicans narrowly blocked a vote on Mr. Hagel’s confirmation last week, forcing Democrats to put the matter off until senators return from recess next week.
Republicans have been using the filibuster to prevent final consideration of his nomination by refusing to end debate on it, a procedural step that requires 60 senators to vote in the affirmative.
But some Republicans, including two of Mr. Hagel’s most outspoken critics, Mr. Graham and Senator John McCain of Arizona, have since said that they will drop their objections and allow a final vote.
Because Mr. Hagel has the support of Senate Democrats, who control 55 seats, he is likely to clear a final vote.
Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama on Thursday became the third Republican to state publicly that he would vote to confirm Mr. Hagel, joining Senators Thad Cochran of Mississippi and Mike Johanns of Nebraska.
If Senate Democrats move ahead with a vote as planned, and no further obstacles surface, Mr. Hagel could be confirmed as early as Tuesday. If Democrats get the votes they need to end debate, Republicans could still delay the vote until Wednesday.
15 G.O.P. Senators Ask Obama to Withdraw Hagel Nomination
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15 G.O.P. Senators Ask Obama to Withdraw Hagel Nomination
