Chuck Hagels Record Chuck Hagels actual record of extreme positions on critical issues is disturbing. He is out of the mainstream.

Why should Democrats once again abdicate the Defense Secretary job to a Republican. Are there no Democrats with mainstream views for the White House to pick? From anti-gay and anti-Jewish slurs to a radical record on guns and a radical record opposing the right of women in the military to have access to reproductive services overseas even on their own dime - Democratic members of the Senate have good reason to be expressing negative views of some of Hagels offensive statements and actions. Hagel repeatedly voted to kill legislation from Senator Feinstein (D-CA) to ban high capacity magazines for military-style assault weapons like those that used in several recent mass shootings. Hagel has voted to make it easier for anyone to get high-powered assault weapons, opposing background checks for people buying from a pawn shop or private gun dealer or a gun repair shop and he voted to end the assault weapons ban. Hagel voted to kill legislation by Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) mandating background checks for people buying guns at gun shows. Hagel opposed legislation to regulate guns sales over the Internet sponsored by Senator Schumer (D-NY). He voted to prohibit lawsuits against gun dealers and manufacturers. He voted against a measure by Senator Durbin (D-IL) that would have fined parents who let their kids get their guns. The Brady Campaign against Gun Violence has given Hagel a LIFETIME RATING OF 7 OUT OF 100. Thats better than his ZERO from NARAL on womens issues and a ZERO on gay rights from the Human Rights Campaign. By contrast, Former House Intelligence Committee Chair Jane Harman received a rating of 100 from the Brady Campaign, 100 from NARAL, and 100 from the Human Rights Campaign. Hagels admitted homophobic and anti-gay slurs directed at U.S. Ambassador James Hormel, who Hagel called openly, aggressively gay and unfit to represent America are disturbing, but so are his extreme position on womens rights. Throughout his career in public life Hagel has consistently opposed womens reproductive rights. Most worrisome (and relevant) is Hagels repeated effort to prevent American women in the military from having access to reproductive services, even victims of rape or sexual assault. Shockingly, Hagel voted consistently to prevent women serving in Americas military overseas from getting access to services even when paid for with their own money or by private insurance. According to NARAL, prohibiting women from using their own funds to obtain abortion services at overseas military facilities not only discriminates against them but also endangers their health. Women stationed overseas depend on their base hospitals for medical care, and are often situated in areas where local facilities are inadequate or unavailable. Hagels record on guns is extreme. Hagel voted to KILL a measure to prohibit assault weapon high-capacity magazines Hagel votes to KILL a measure to ban gun show sales without a background check. Hagel voted AGAINST to defeat Senator Feinsteins effort to end sales of banana clips

Hagel voted to KILL a bill to regulate Internet gun sales by Senator Schumer.

Hagel is one of just 21 Senators who voted AGAINST a bipartisan bill requiring background checks for anyone buying a gun at a pawn shops or repair shops. Hagel again voted AGAINST background checks at gun shows and the vote is 50/50 The Vice President has to cast the deciding vote. In 2004, Hagel voted to KILL the assault weapons ban, which outlaws certain magazines and more than 180 semi-automatic firearms

Hagel is extreme in his anti-Choice record event for women in the military. In June 2000, Hagel voted to KILL an amendment to repeal a provision that forbidding U.S. military women from using their own funds to obtain legal abortion services in overseas military hospitals. In May 1999, Hagel voted to KILL an amendment to repeal a provision that forbidding U.S. military women from using their own funds to obtain legal abortion services in overseas military hospitals. In June 1998, Hagel voted to AGAINST a measure to repeal the provision forbidding U.S. military women and dependents from using their own funds to obtain legal abortion services in overseas military hospitals. In June 1997, Hagel voted AGAINST a measure to repeal the provision forbidding U.S. military women and dependents from using their own funds to obtain legal abortion services in overseas military hospitals. In June 2002, Hagel voted AGAINST an amendment that would have ensured that military personnel have access to abortion services in military hospitals. Notably, the measure would not have required public funding of abortions, and the individual seeking the abortion would have been responsible for all cost associated with the procedure.