Committee Chairman Says Republic Demands on Hagel 'Too Much' - KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee says Republican demands for more financial information from Chuck Hagel is beyond the scope of what's been asked of previous defense secretary nominees, and he intends to press ahead with a vote.

In letter Friday, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan responded to 26 Senate Republicans who have pressed President Barack Obama's pick for details on his paid speeches and foreign donors to the companies he's been affiliated with, such as the Atlantic Council.

Levin said the GOP was insisting on financial disclosure requirements that far exceed the standards of the panel and what's been required of numerous Pentagon chiefs, from Republicans Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld to Democrat Leon Panetta.

Levin said the panel will vote as soon as possible.