Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., questions Chuck Hagel, a former two-term GOP senator and President Obama's choice for defense secretary, during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday,... more 

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., questions Chuck Hagel, a former two-term GOP senator and President Obama's choice for defense secretary, during his confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. Hagel faced strong Republican resistance and was forced to explain past remarks and votes even as he appeared on a path to confirmation as Obama second-term defense secretary and the nation's 24th Pentagon chief. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) less