In the midst of the debt ceiling debate and budget fight, the president has picked a nomination fight for his choice of Defense Secretary. Five groups including some in former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s, R-Neb., own party don’t support him as a secretary of defense. While the President may be willing to go to bat from him, some democrats are tepid in their support for Hagel.
“It’s going to be a challenging choice in terms of a confirmation process,” Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told Chris Jansing. Congressman Schiff doesn’t get to vote on cabinet nominations but, he says, the former senator has to answer some tough questions ahead.
“Questions about Iran, about Israel, lot of legitimate concern over the comments he made about Mr. Hormel. ” He says, “These questions that have been raised are quite legitimate and I want to hear the answers myself before I take any position on his nomination.”
Jansing also asked the congressman about the fight over gun control that’s shaping up in the new congress.
Congressman Schiff is part of the congressional task force on gun violence. According to the Washington Post, the White House is looking at more than just a blanket assault weapons ban. Congressman Schiff supports most of the proposals, which include closing the gun show loophole, and better support for the mentally ill.
“I’m going to be focused on another piece which is that the gun industry enjoys an immunity that no other industry in America enjoys. It can act in a negligent way and have immunity.”
Aparna Zalani