Chuck Hagel

When Is A Filibuster Not A Filibuster? Senators Split Hairs Over The F-Word (VIDEO)

Tom Kludt | February 15, 2013, 2:30PM

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) speaks during a floor debate over the nomination of Chuck Hagel on Feb. 14, 2013.

The debate on the nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel to head the Defense Department devolved into a fight over semantics on Thursday.

As Republican senators imposed a 60-vote threshold on Hagel's nomination -- a requirement that's a hallmark of the filibuster -- they insisted the f-word didn't apply. All they were doing, Republicans such as James Inhofe (OK) argued, was seeking more time to gather requested information on the possible future defense secretary.

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