Committee to vote on Zinke, Perry nominations Tuesday

A Senate panel is scheduled to vote on two of President Trump’s energy and natural resources nominees on Tuesday. 

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will meet on Tuesday morning to consider Rep. Ryan Zinke’s (R-Mont.) nomination to be Interior Secretary and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) nomination to lead the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Committee members heard from both nominees during confirmation hearings next week. 

{mosads}Neither nominee is considered especially controversial, and everything points to unanimous support for both from committee Republicans.

During their hearings, Democrats asked both about their acceptance of the science behind man-made climate change, and Zinke and Perry were peppered with questions about other department operations. 

Committee Democrats wanted to ensure Zinke supported the principle of federal land ownership, an area where both he and President Trump profess more moderate viewpoints than some conservatives. 

Perry faced questions about his defense of climate scientists in the Energy Department, especially in light of reports about major funding cuts for the DOE under Trump. 

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), the chair of the committee, later said she wanted to move both nominations directly to the floor for confirmation, though that didn’t happen last week. 

Tuesday’s hearing comes as the Senate begins working through Trump’s Cabinet nominations. Members confirmed two officials for posts on Friday after Trump was sworn into office, and the Senate will vote on his nominee to lead the Central Intelligence Agency on Monday night. 

Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson will receive a vote in the Foreign Relations Committee on Monday, and his path to confirmation appears clear after a handful of Republicans, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) endorsed his nomination this week.