The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today voted 17-5 to approve the nomination of David Hayes as Interior deputy secretary. But Sen Bob Bennett (R-UT) plans to put a hold on the nomination:

Bennett said he is unhappy with Hayes' responses to questions about Utah oil and gas leases that the Obama administration has canceled.
...
Bennett will attempt to block the nomination despite a plea by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar yesterday to approve nominees as quickly as possible. Bennett said answers he has been given so far as to why Salazar canceled the leases "simply don't cut it."

"I don't think I'm getting straight answers, and until I do, I cannot vote to move this nomination forward," Bennett said.

Democratic Sen. . Mary Landrieu is said to be supporting Bennett's efforts, which could make it difficult to get to 60 votes to get Hayes confirmed.

Matt :: GOP plans to hold up another nominee

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GOP plans to hold up another nominee | 2 comments

holds (0.00 / 0)

Remind me again how these holds work? If we had the 60 votes, can a hold be bypassed?

by: trudy @ Wed Mar 18, 2009 at 20:23:27 PM UTC

Eventually, yes (0.00 / 0)

But a hold gums up the works. The Senate does a lot of things (schedules, order of business) by Unanimous Consent Requests. If just one Senator objects, then things go a lot slower. It can be done, but it uses up all the Senate's time, and doesn't allow them to do other business.

by: Matt @ Thu Mar 19, 2009 at 01:25:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]