As Politico reported today, former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s elevation to secretary of defense could hinge on whether New York Sen. Chuck Schumer — the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber — backs his nomination.

Schumer has dodged questions publicly on the issue of Hagel’s nomination until today, when he appeared in Elmira to announce federal funding for a local hospital.

Asked by our YNN colleague about the nomination, Schumer said he has unspecified concerns, which likely stem from the Nebraska Republican’s comments on Israel.

Though Schumer’s tenure in the Senate overlapped with Hagel’s, the two men were not especially close, Schumer admitted. He did say that there’s an “obligation” to sit down with Hagel and discuss their issues.

“I have some questions about Chuck Hagel, on the one hand,” Schumer said. “On the other hand he’s a veteran, he’s a decorated Vietnam veteran. And he’s a colleague, I served with him, I wasn’t that close to him but he served with me in the Senate when I did for a while. So I owe both both my constituents, my country and Chuck Hagel the obligation to sit down and ask him about the things I’m concerned about and I will do that before I determine how I’m going to vote.”

Asked if those concerns had anything to do with Hagel’s comments on what he has called Washington’s “Jewish lobby” and a critical stance on Israel’s relationship with Hezbollah, Schumer declined to say.

“I want to hear what he has to say before I make a determination,” he said.

Schumer, according to Politico, has said privately that it would be “very hard” for him to support Hagel’s nomination to succeed Leon Panetta at the Pentagon.

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