Senate’s top Dem hits GOP for blocking Hagel

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate’s top Democrat attacked Republican senators Thursday for blocking Chuck Hagel’s nomination to be President Barack Obama’s next secretary of defense, saying it was “shocking” and “tragic” that the GOP would attempt such a move at a time when the U.S. military is engaged in so many places around the world.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Republicans are filibustering Hagel’s confirmation and that such a move is unprecedented. “Not a single nominee for secretary of defense ever in the history of our country has been filibustered,” the...