White House expects Senate confirmation of Hagel Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 9:33 am, Friday, February 1, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it expects the Senate to confirm Chuck Hagel to be the next defense secretary despite his struggles at a contentious confirmation hearing. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Friday that President Barack Obama thinks Hagel will be an excellent Pentagon chief.