Hagel Defends Bergdahl Trade To Skeptical Lawmakers

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hide captionDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrives on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify before the House Armed Services Committee about the deal under which Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was traded for five high-level Taliban prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.

Susan Walsh/AP

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel arrives on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify before the House Armed Services Committee about the deal under which Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was traded for five high-level Taliban prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.

Susan Walsh/AP

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel appears before a House panel today [Wednesday] to answer questions about the deal under which Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was traded for five high-level Taliban prisoners in Guantanamo Bay.

Hagel's appearance before the House Armed Services Committee mark the first time a senior Obama administration official is facing questions at a congressional hearing over the trade.

Both Republicans and Democrats, including some staunch supporters of the Obama administration, have criticized the deal. They say the cost of the exchange – freeing five Taliban members – was too high, and they have pointed out that the administration is required by law to give Congress 30 days' notice before prisoners are released from Guantanamo – something not done in this case.

Additionally, there have been questions about just how Bergdahl was captured in 2009. He's said that he lagged behind while on patrol. U.S. officials have said he walked off the base with three Afghans; there have been reports that he was captured during an attack on his post; and the Taliban have said they captured a "drunken American soldier." Many service members say they believe Bergdahl is a deserter.

Senior administration officials, including President Obama, have defended the deal, as have senior military officials. And Hagel previously has said Bergdahl's life was in danger, and the U.S. had to act quickly to get him out. But critics of the deal in Congress say that does not appear to be true. They are also skeptical about the administration's claims that the Army sergeant's failing health had necessitated a quick swap.