Inhofe, Coburn Urge Obama to Drop Hagel Nomination
Oklahoma senators urge Obama to withdraw nomination of Hagel
Republican Sens. Tom Coburn and Jim Inhofe signed a letter with 13 other GOP senators asking President Barack Obama to withdraw the nomination of Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense because of a lack of bipartisan support.
By Chris Casteel | Published: February 22, 2013
WASHINGTON — Both of Oklahoma’s senators signed a letter to President Barack Obama on Thursday, urging him to withdraw the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary, but the White House press secretary called the Republican effort a waste of time.
Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, and Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, joined 13 other Republican senators in saying that a secretary of defense needs broad bipartisan support to serve effectively.
“Over the last half-century, no secretary of defense has been confirmed and taken office with more than three senators voting against him,” states the letter authored by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.