POSITION: Secretary of Defense
NOMINEE: Chuck Hagel
Born: North Platte, Nebraska, October 4, 1946. (1961-08-04)
Family: Second wife, Lilibet Hagel, two daughters.
Occupation: Sergeant, US Army 1967-1968 (awarded Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Army Commendation Medal and two Purple Hearts); co-founded Vanguard Cellular, President of the McCarthy Group LLC and CEO of American Information Systems Inc. Senate 1996-2007. Served on the Committee on Foreign Relations, Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Select Committee on Intelligence and Committee on Rules and Administration.
Education:Brown College and University of Nebraska, Omaha
SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE
Opposes Abortion Except in Life of the Mother Cases and Opposed Taxpayer Funding
"I am pro-life with one exception — the life of the mother. I oppose taxpayer funded abortions. We must promote adoption and support the strengthening of American families. I will vote with and support the pro-life movement," Hagel said in a piece of 1996 campaign literature, according to the Omaha World Herald.
"As I looked at those numbers, if I want to prevent abortions, I don't think those two exceptions are relevant," Hagel said, according to the Omaha paper.
Voted against overseas military abortions..
Click here to view his voting record as U.S. Senator.
Parental Consent on issues of abortion
Voted for stopping ne’er-do-well adults taking minors across state lines for an abortion: S.Amdt 4335 to S.Con.Res. 70, Roll Call 08-S71, March 13, 2008. Source: Senate.gov
Voted for parental notification of minors who get out-of-state abortions: S.403, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, Roll Call 06-216, July 25, 2006. Source: Senate.gov
On taxpayer funding of abortion
Voted against increasing taxpayer funding for destructive embryonic stem cell experimentation: S.5/H.R. 3, Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, Roll Call 07-127, April 11, 2007. Source Senate.gov
Voted against increasing funding to Planned Parenthood and similar clinics by $100 million: S.Amdt. 244 to S.Con.Res 18, Appropriation to expand access to preventive health care services, Roll Call 05-75, March 17, 2005. Source: Senate.gov
Opposed subsidizing international abortion agencies
S.Amdt. 2719 to H.R. 2764, Roll Call 07-319, September 6, 2007. Source: Senate.gov
Opposed funding for the United Nations Family Planning Fund (UNFPA)
(Evidence shows UNFPA subsidizes coercive abortions)
S. Amdt. 2708 to H.R. 2764, Roll Call 07-320, September 6, 2007. Source: Senate.gov
Supports Expanding Taxpayer Funding for Abortions in the Military
On January 14, 2013, Hagel sent a letter to Barbara Boxer assuring her he would “fully implement all laws protecting women service member’s reproductive rights” and that they would be “afforded the same reproductive health care options as women in the civilian population.”
MARRIAGE AND HOMOSEXUAL AGENDA
“No Vote” on the Marriage Protection Amendment: S.J.Res. 1, Roll Call 06-163, June 7, 2006. Source: Senate.gov
Voted against the Federal Hate Crimes Act:
Thought crimes amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization that would establish federal “hate crimes” for certain violent acts based on the actual or perceived race, religion, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation of any person. S. Amdt. 3035, Roll Call No. 07-350, September 27, 2007. Source: Senate.gov
Apologized for “Aggressive Gay” Remark, supports DADT repeal
The Omaha World-Herald reported in 1998: “Ambassadorial posts are sensitive, Hagel explained. ‘They are representing America,’ he said [in an interview]. ‘They are representing our lifestyle, our values, our standards. And I think it is an inhibiting factor to be gay — openly aggressively gay like Mr. Hormel — to do an effective job.’”
Then, Dec. 2012: “My comments 14 years ago in 1998 were insensitive. They do not reflect my views or the totality of my public record, and I apologize to Ambassador Hormel and any LGBT Americans who may question my commitment to their civil rights. I am fully supportive of ‘open service’ and committed to LGBT military families.”
Fully Supports Military Benefits for Homosexual Couples
In his January 14, 2013 letter to Barbara Boxer, Hagel reiterated his support for repealing DADT and promised he would “do everything possible to the extent permissible under current law to provide equal benefits to the families of all service members.”
MISCELLANEOUS
Urged "direct, unconditional, and comprehensive talks with the Government of Iran"
Criticized GOP Senators seeking to Repeal Healthcare as Irresponsible
Called Pentagon Budget “Bloated”
From a September 2011 interview: “The Defense Department, I think in many ways, has been bloated,” he responded. “So I think the Pentagon needs to be pared down.”
Opposed Sanctions in Countries including Iran, North Korea, Libya, Cuba and Syria
Hagel did not sign a letter to the EU calling on it to designate Hezbollah a terror group Hagel defended this by saying, "I didn't sign on to certain resolutions and letters because they were counter-productive and didn't solve a problem."
In 2006, Hagel referred to the Israel lobbyists as the "Jewish lobby” Hagel said, "The Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here... I have always argued against some of the dumb things they do because I don't think it's in the interest of Israel."
Hagel opposed the ultimately successful troop surge in Iraq