Senate committee approves Sally Jewell as Interior Secretary

Thursday, March 21, 2013  

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 19-3 this morning to approve the nomination of Sally Jewell as the next Secretary of the Interior Department.

The vote came after Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), the chairman, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the ranking member, resolved an issue affecting a road for an Alaska Native village.

Outgoing Secretary Ken Salazar agreed to "take a second look" at the road and to send Assistant Secretary Kevin Washburn, the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs to King Cove to meet with residents and learn about their concerns, Murkowski said this morning.

Salazar agreed to hold off on a record of decision on the road, Murkowski added. That leaves the matter to Jewell if she is confirmed by the Senate to lead DOI.

Committee Notice:
BUSINESS MEETING: To consider the nomination of Sally Jewell to be the Secretary of the Interior (March 21, 2013)

Confirmation Hearing:
FULL COMMITTEE HEARING: To consider the nomination of Sally Jewell to be the Secretary of the Interior (March 7, 2013)

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