Stephanie Condon, John Nolen /
CBS News/ February 14, 2013, 12:24 PMUpdated at 2:08 p.m. ET
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., slammed Republicans today for attempting to filibuster the confirmation of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., as defense secretary, suggesting the Pentagon could be left without a leader if Hagel's confirmation is blocked tomorrow.
Despite Reid's comments, there won't be a vacancy at the Pentagon; current Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will not step down until Hagel is confirmed as his successor, the Pentagon told CBS News.
That didn't stop Reid from dramatizing the matter.
Reid slams GOP for delaying Hagel vote
"In less than two hours, our country will be without a secretary of defense," Reid incorrectly suggested on the Senate floor today. "Republicans have been telling our troops, you can have a leader later."
Pentagon spokesman George Little told CBS News that Panetta believes Hagel should be confirmed as quickly as possible but plans to stay in office until that happens.
Reid has scheduled a vote on Hagel's nomination for Friday, when Republicans are expected to filibuster it. It takes at least 60 votes to break a filibuster and officially end debate on an issue. If the vote to end debate on Hagel's nomination receives 60 votes, then the Senate will take a final vote on his confirmation, when just a simple 51-vote majority will be needed.
Reid noted again today that it is "unprecedented" for the Senate to filibuster a defense secretary nominee. Senate tradition dictates that the president has the prerogative to nominate whomever he chooses for Cabinet positions and that nominees should not be filibustered.
Hagel has "answered exhaustive questions about his record," Reid said. "He has the support of the president of the United States... He has the support of this body, a majority vote of this body... At a time when America faces so many threats... It's tragic they've decided to filibuster this qualified nominee."
A Senate Democratic leadership aide told CBS News in an email, "Senate Republican leadership has informed us that they intend to withhold the votes needed to clear cloture" -- meaning they intend to effectively delay Hagel's confirmation. CBS News has learned that there are four Senate Republicans who have said they would not support a filibuster, which, when added to the 55 Democrats who are expected to support Hagel, would appear to leave the Democrats one vote short.
So far, two Republicans have said they would vote for Hagel to be confirmed - Sens. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Mike Johanns, R-Neb. One would assume they would also vote in favor of breaking a filibuster.
A third Republican, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced yesterday that she will vote against Hagel's confirmation, but in favor of breaking a filibuster.
Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Roy Blunt, R-Mo., said last week they would not support a filibuster, but today Burr changed his mind and said he would back a filibuster.
Meawnwhile, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., previously said he wouldn't support a filibuster, but he is reportedly considering changing his mind.
Reid warns against delaying Hagel's confirmation
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Reid warns against delaying Hagel's confirmation
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Reid warns against delaying Hagel's confirmation
