Senator Kirk has released the following statement on Chuck Hagel's nomination vote to the post of defense secretary.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) released the following statement regarding today's vote on Senator Chuck Hagel's nomination for Secretary of Defense:

"During his confirmation hearing, Senator Hagel instinctively called the Iranian government both elected and legitimate. He initially offered strong support for containment of Iran, rather than President Obama's stated policy of preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon. He could not clearly explain his past opposition to unilateral sanctions against Iran – opposition as recent as 2008. And at no time did he state his position on whether the European Union should formally designate Iran's terror proxy, Hezbollah, as a terrorist organization – a group responsible for the murders of some 280 American citizens, including eight from Illinois.

"I appreciate and respect Senator Hagel's record of service to our country, especially as a decorated combat veteran. However, based on Senator Hagel's testimony, on top of my existing concerns regarding his past statements and votes, I cannot support his nomination."

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Source: Senator Mark Kirk Press Office 

More social media on the Hagel nomination:

40 votes against Hagel cloture. Not 1 D sen w courage 2 vote no on an unqualified, weak nom. Politics above security. notochuck.com

— Rick Santorum (@RickSantorum) February 14, 2013

To repeat: we should not have a vote on Sen #Hagel until we receive all of the requested info & the Senate has a time for a full debate.

— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) February 14, 2013

Alexander voted against cutting off debate on #Hagel nomination, announced he'll oppose confirmation: 1.usa.gov/XcaUPg

— Sen. Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) February 14, 2013