Republicans block Obama pick for Interior deputy

WASHINGTON — Republicans blocked President Barack Obama’s pick for the No. 2 job at the Interior Department today in a dispute over oil and gas leases, but Democrats signaled they would soon make a second attempt to win confirmation.

The 57-39 vote was three short of the 60 needed to advance David Hayes past Republican objections, and made him the first of Obama’s top-level nominees to be sidetracked on the Senate floor.

Hayes, an environmental lawyer picked by Obama to serve as deputy secretary of the Interior Department, held the same post during the last three years of the Clinton administration. He also led Obama’s natural resources transition team, responsible for naming a new Interior Department head.

Republican opposition to Hayes’ nomination was led by Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah, who expressed anger over Secretary Ken Salazar’s recent decision to revoke 77 oil and gas leases in his state. He was joined by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who raised questions about the administration’s plans for oil and gas development and objected to recent reversals of several Bush-era rules on endangered species and mountaintop mining.

“It may be uncomfortable for some to watch us have to clean up mess after mess — from corruption to lawbreaking — that is the previous administration’s legacy at Interior, but to cast a vote against such a qualified and fine person is the height of cynicism,” Salazar said in a statement following the vote.

Rodell Mollineau, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Democrats would make a second attempt to gain 60 votes at a future date to be determined. Three Democrats, Sens. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland as well as John Kerry and Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, did not vote. Their presence would have left Hayes with 60 votes, the total needed to overcome GOP objections.

Robert Dillon, a spokesman for Murkowski, said the Alaska lawmaker hoped the disagreements could be worked out, which would presumably clear the way for swift confirmation.

At a news conference after the vote, Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said Republicans had engaged in “classic hostage taking,” holding up Hayes in a dispute over a “tangential issue.”

Hayes won the support of all Democrats who voted except for Reid, who switched to opposition at the last moment as part of a procedural move that enabled him to call for a later revote. Independent Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut as well as Republican Sens. Olympia Snowe of Maine and Jon Kyl of Arizona also backed confirmation.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Traffic moves around parts of the roundabout at the new I-5/SR529 interchange on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT delays opening of Marysville interchange, ramps

Supply chain issues caused the agency to push back opening date. The full interchange and off ramps are expected to open in October.

Stanwood pauses Flock cameras amid public records lawsuits

A public records request for Flock camera footage has raised questions about what data is exempt under state law.

A Link train passes over a parking lot south of the Lynnwood City Center Station on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Construction to close parking spots at Lynnwood Link station

Fifty-seven parking spots out of the nearly 1,700 on-site will be closed for about two months.

Provided photo 
Michael Olson during his interview with the Stanwood-Camano School District Board of Directors on Sept. 2.
Stanwood-Camano school board fills vacancy left by controversial member

Michael Olson hopes to help bring stability after Betsy Foster resigned in June.

Traffic moves along Bowdoin Way past Yost Park on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A new online tool could aid in local planning to increase tree coverage

The map, created by Washington Department of Natural Resources and conservation nonprofit American Forests, illustrates tree canopy disparities across the state.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish PUD preps for more state home electrification funding

The district’s home electrification rebate program distributed over 14,000 appliances last year with Climate Commitment funds.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Everett in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
One person dead in single-vehicle crash on Wednesday in Everett

One man died in a single-vehicle crash early Wednesday morning… Continue reading

Everett
Around $2,500 worth of merchandise was stolen from an Everett boutique Sept. 9

The boutique owner reported that the four female suspects hit her with their car while fleeing.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Monroe shooting sends one person to the hospital on Friday

Officers believe the suspect and victim knew each other prior to the assault at Skykomish River Park.

Students walk outside of Everett High School on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
SnoCo students perform well on metrics, state data shows

At many school districts across the county, more students are meeting or exceeding grade-level standards compared to the state average.

People get a tour of a new side channel built in Osprey Park on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025 in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish PUD cuts ribbon on new Sultan River side channel

The channel created 1,900 linear feet of stream habitat, aimed to provide juvenile salmon with habitat to rest and grow.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Everett in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Auditor dismisses challenge against former Everett candidate’s registration

The finding doesn’t affect a judge’s ruling blocking Niko Battle from appearing on the November ballot.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.