The Senate on Wednesday confirmed David J. Hayes as deputy secretary of the Interior Department after Republicans lifted a hold on the nomination.

Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) were upset over the cancellation of oil and gas leases in Utah. They agreed to lift their hold after Hayes said he would review the issue once in office.

Bennett was also holding back Hilary Tompkins, a member of the Navajo Nation, to be Solicitor at Interior. The Senate has not cleared her nomination.

Get the Story:
Interior Nominee Is Confirmed (The Washington Post 5/21)
GOP senators lift hold on Salazar's top aide (The Denver Post 5/21)
Senate confirms No. 2 official at Interior (AP 5/20)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Hilary Tompkins held hostage in Senate (5/19)
Senate Republicans block top Interior nominee (5/14)
Senate Republicans plan to block DOI nominee (5/13)
Interior nominee talks of finding Navajo roots (4/24)
Native women take top posts in Obama administration (4/9)
Hilary Tompkins nominated as Interior Solicitor (3/26)
Nominee for top Interior post faces hold in Senate (3/19)
Second Interior nominee goes before Senate (3/16)
Native woman up for top legal post at Interior (3/5)