Perry and Zinke Win Positive Recommendations From Senate Energy Committee

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Both former Texas Governor Rick Perry and Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke won recommendations of approval from a Senate Committee on Tuesday…Perry to be Energy Secretary and Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior.

The votes from the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee chaired by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) were along party lines.

Zinke’s nomination was handled first as the committee voted 16-6 with four Democrats joining every Republican in backing Zinke. Oregon Democrat Ron Wyden abstained from voting on Zinke’s nomination.

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell (Wash.) voted against Zinke, expressing concerns about how the Trump administration will approach federal lands.

 

Zinke’s job as Interior Secretary is the one that Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin was considered to hold until she apparently had a bad job interview with President Trump before he took office.

Following the recommendation of approval for Zinke, the committee voted 16-7 on Perry’s nomination to be Energy Secretary.

Listen to votes cast Tuesday by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.