Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) has consented to forward movement on the confirmation of Lisa Jackson, Obama’s nominee for EPA administrator, a spokesperson for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee tells Grist. The Senate is now likely to confirm Jackson this evening.
“It’s our understanding that she has cleared any objections and she should be able to be confirmed later today,” said the spokesperson. “It should not be a further problem.”
Barrasso had been holding up the process over concerns that White House energy and climate adviser Carol Browner might interfere with the EPA’s work. Barrasso has now spoken with about Browner about her role in the new administration, according to the committee spokesperson, and apparently his concerns have been resolved.
UPDATE: TPM is reporting that it may be some other Senate Republican holding up the confirmation, not Barrasso or climate change skeptic James Inhofe (R-Okla.). We’re keeping an eye on Senate action to see what transpires tonight.
