Washington » Despite a protest from Sen. Bob Bennett, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday approved President Barack Obama's choice for deputy Interior secretary.
But the Utah Republican plans to put a hold on David Hayes' nomination when it reaches the floor, leaving his confirmation needing 60 votes, not merely a majority.
Bennett spoke out against Hayes, saying the designee hadn't been honest with him about Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's retreat on 77 oil and gas leases in Utah.
"The secretary did not have to cancel those leases," Bennett said. "I don't think I'm getting straight answers and, until I do, I will not vote to let this thing through."
The lease sale, covering 103,000 acres in the Beehive States, including some near national parks and monuments, occurred Dec. 19, during the waning days of the Bush administration. Bennett, unlike Salazar, argues the auction had been vetted and was not rushed. The Utah senator questions whether the Interior Department said it would review the sale to appease him.
Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican and former GOP presidential nominee, also objected to Hayes, although in the end voted to move his name forward. The committee voted 10-2 on Wednesday to advance Hayes' nomination, with Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., joining Bennett against approval.
Interior spokesman Matt Lee-Ashley said Hayes looks forward to talking more with Bennett to clear up any concerns he has about the department's handling of the lease-sale pullback.
