WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans blocked an end-run attempt to confirm David Hayes as deputy secretary of the Interior Department in a contentious vote this morning, handing his potential future boss, Ken Salazar, a significant political defeat.
Salazar called the vote “the height of cynicism” and testily defended his attempts “to clean up mess after mess” left behind by President George W. Bush’s appointees, who led the department for eight years.
The confirmation of Hayes has become a flashpoint in a growing battle over the direction Salazar has taken as head of Interior, reversing key Bush administration decisions on oil shale, off-shore drilling, the Endangered Species Act and other issues.
Majority Leader Harry Reid had attempted to invoke cloture on Hayes’ confirmation, requiring a super 60-vote majority, but the vote failed in the face of several Democrats absences and near unanimous Republican opposition.
As his colleagues came into the chamber, Sen. Robert Bennett, the Utah Republican who has led the opposition to Hayes, stood near the dais and thanked Republicans as they voted against the nomination of Salazar’s deputy.
Bennett said he now expects Salazar to complete a review of the decision to revoke 77 oil and gas leases near two national parks in southern Utah before he removes his hold.
On Tuesday, Salazar made several concessions to Republicans in hopes of moving the confirmation forward, including a promise to send Hayes to Utah within 10 days and complete the review Bennett requested by May 29.
“I’m not cynical,” Bennett said, responding to Salazar’s characterization after the vote. “This is about the department’s failure to respond to legitimate questions and concerns.”
