The White House hopes the Senate will confirm Chuck Hagel next week as defense secretary.
Republicans delayed the vote for the same reason they scuttled Susan Rice's bid to be secretary of state: Benghazi.
The attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last September killed four Americans, including the ambassador to Libya. And Benghazi has since become a rallying cry for Republicans.
On Tuesday night in Rock Hill, S.C., Republican Rep. Mick Mulvaney met with his constituents.