Hagel passes Senate test to replace Panetta

The US Senate confirmed Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense Tuesday, ending a long and acrimonious nomination process and handing President Barack Obama a boost as he fills his second-term cabinet.
After a bruising confirmation hearing and a 10-day delay engineered by Republicans, Senators voted 58-41 to approve the former Republican senator and decorated Vietnam War veteran for the post held by Leon Panetta.
Hagel, 66, who had faced tough questions about his past statements on Iran's nuclear program and US-Israeli relations, is due to be sworn in on Wednesday and to speak to Defense Department civilians and troops at the Pentagon.
Four Republicans -- including, surprisingly, Tea Party-backed Senator Rand Paul -- joined the majority Democrats in approving Hagel, after 18 Republicans voted earlier to overcome the blocking tactics and allow a full vote.
Obama welcomed the "bipartisan confirmation," saying it allowed him to "have the defense secretary our nation needs and the leader our troops deserve."