Committee sets hearing on Interior deputy nominee

By Garrett Downs | 07/02/2024 01:44 PM EDT

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee next week will question Shannon Estenoz for the No. 2 slot at the department.

Shannon Estenoz.

Shannon Estenoz, assistant Interior secretary for fish, wildlife and parks, on Capitol Hill. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing next week on Shannon Estenoz, President Joe Biden’s pick for deputy secretary at the Interior Department.

The committee posted an advisory Tuesday announcing the Wednesday hearing, the first step in moving the nominee toward confirmation. But it still could be a bumpy road for Estenoz, who faces a set of Senate roadblocks.

The president tapped Estenoz — the current assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks — in May. Interior hasn’t had a Senate-confirmed deputy since Tommy Beaudreau’s exit last year.

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If confirmed, Estenoz would replace Laura Daniel-Davis, whose own bid for Senate confirmation flamed out after Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) took issue with her positions on fossil fuels.

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