Senator Hagel of Nebraska is a member of three Senate committees: Foreign Relations: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. He also serves as co-chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China.

Since his election to the Senate in 1996, Hagel has served as deputy whip for the Republican Caucus. He has been chair of both the Senate Global Climate Change Observer Group and the Senate Oversight Task Force. He also serves on the NATO Observer Group.

Hagel is a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran, receiving the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Sen. Hagel is the 127th speaker in the Landon Lecture Series.