Blunt: We Have the Votes to Delay Hagel Nomination

Senator Roy Blunt indicated Wednesday that there are enough votes in the Senate to delay the Hagel confirmation.

Blunt (R-Mo.) said he believed there were 40 votes in the Senate that indicated “it’s too quick to end the debate on this nomination.”

Requests have been made for more information from Hagel, specifically financial disclosures from Republicans on the Armed Services Committee. On Tuesday, Hagel passed the Committee in a party line vote. Harry Reid said the chamber would move forward on the nomination later this week.

Blunt expects Hagel to provide the information requested. The GOP controls 45 seats in the Senate, and would need 41 to block the 60 votes Hagel needs to be confirmed.