U.S. Sen Ted Cruz Statement on Letter Calling for Withdrawal of Hagel Nomination

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined 13 Republican senators in supporting Sen. John Cornyn's (TX) call for President Obama to withdraw former Sen. Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense.

“If confirmed, Senator Hagel would be the most controversial Secretary of Defense in history,” said Sen. Ted Cruz. “In the last 50 years, no other Secretary of Defense has been confirmed with more than three members voting against him and in the entire history of the position, no one has been confirmed with more than 11 ‘no’ votes. Given Senator Hagel’s disturbing record on foreign policy and poor confirmation hearing performance, he lacks the trust and confidence needed to serve as Defense Secretary at such a critical time.”

The letter, authored by Senate Minority Whip Sen. John Cornyn (TX), was also signed by: Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Sen. James Inhofe (OK), Sen. Lindsay Graham (SC), Sen. Roger Wicker (MS), Sen. David Vitter (LA), Sen. Mike Lee (UT), Sen. Pat Toomey (PA), Sen,. Marco Rubio (FL), Sen. Dan Coats (IN), Sen. Ron Johnson (WI), Sen. James Risch (ID), Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), Sen. John Barrasso (WY), and Sen. Tim Scott (SC).

Letter Requesting President Obama Withdraw Hagel's Nomination for Secretary of Defense