Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee that will preside over the confirmation vote of Chuck Hagel as Obama's pick to lead the Department of Defense, issued a statement Monday praising the former Nebraska senator as "well qualified": 

“Senator Hagel is well qualified to serve as secretary of defense with his broad experience in national security affairs. He was a decorated soldier and an effective member of the Senate, and he is a strong advocate for the men and women of our military. The Armed Services Committee will give prompt and careful consideration to Senator Hagel’s nomination for this critical position.”