U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to nominate former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to serve as his Defense Secretary.<br/> <br />Sources tell Reuters the annoucement could come as soon as Monday.<br/> <br />The choice will likely set up a confirmation battle in the Senate over whether Vietnam veteran is a strong enough supporter of Israel and over his past calls for military cuts.<br/> <br />Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell weighed in on NBC's Meet the Press.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:<br/> <br />"I think there will be a lot of tough questions for Senator Hagel, but he will be treated fairly by Republicans in the Senate."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) REPUBLICAN SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL SAYING:<br/> <br />"His views with regard to Israel, for example, and Iran and all the other positions that he's taken over the years, you know, I think that they're a matter of discussion during the confirmation process."<br/> <br />Hagel has also been critical of the size of the military, telling the Financial Times in 2011 that the Defense Department was "bloated" and needed "to be pared down."
