The Senate on Thursday advanced dozens of administration nominees, including President Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Bureau of Land Management.
The package of nominees cleared a procedural vote 51-46 along party lines under new rules that allow certain administration picks to be considered en bloc. More votes are needed before they can be confirmed, likely after the coming recess.
The list includes former New Mexico Republican Rep. Steve Pearce, who has been waiting months for the Senate to process his nomination to lead BLM. Democrats say he’s too close to the oil and gas industry, and has in the past supported public land sales.
Also on the list is Kyle Haustveit for undersecretary of energy at the Department of Energy, Douglas Weaver to remain on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and David LaCerte to remain on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
