WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus S. King, Jr. (I-Maine) released the following statement today after the Senate failed to secure the necessary sixty vote super-majority to proceed to a confirmation vote on former Senator Chuck Hagel’s nomination to become the next U.S. Secretary of Defense:

“I am disappointed by today’s vote to delay Senator Hagel’s nomination to be our next Secretary of Defense. When President Obama nominated Senator Hagel for the position, I said that executive branch candidates deserve the opportunity to have their qualifications fully and fairly evaluated. In my judgment, Senator Hagel has been fully evaluated by me and my colleagues, having appropriately answered questions before the Senate Armed Services Committee and having produced additionally requested materials and information in a satisfactory manner. I believe the information necessary to vote on Senator Hagel’s nomination has been made available and I regret the delay in the confirmation process that today’s vote entails."

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