The Senate late Thursday night approved a Trump Interior Department nominee that has proven popular with Democrats and Republicans.
Rob Wallace is the first assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks since 2011, a position that oversees both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.
Wallace stood out in his confirmation process after a long line of controversial picks to a department that has faced numerous ethics controversies since President Trump
Donald John TrumpSenate rejects attempt to curb Trump’s Iran war powers Sarah Sanders: I will walk out of the White House ‘with my head held high’ Atlanta mayor endorses Biden for president MORE took office.
“Rob has the right experience and real commitment to serve in this important role,” Sen. John Barrasso
John Anthony BarrassoTrump proposal nixes review of long-term climate impacts Bipartisan senators propose forcing EPA to set drinking water standard for ‘forever chemicals’ Trump hails D-Day veterans in Normandy: ‘You are the pride of our nation’ MORE (R-Wyo.) said of the Wyoming native. “He will do an outstanding job. He has worked to conserve wildlife and protect our national parks in both Wyoming and Washington.”
Wallace currently works as president of the Upper Green River Conservancy and as a partner at the investment firm i2Capital.
Some environmental groups raised questions about Wallace’s nearly two decades as a lobbyist for General Electric Energy and income from stock in the oil industry, but many conservation groups offered letters in support of his nomination.
The Senate also confirmed Aimee Jorjani to a post on the the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Like Wallace, Jorjani received words of praise from Democrats on the Environment and Public Works Committee
Her husband, Daniel Jorjani, has also been nominated to a position at Interior reviewed by that committee, but he does not enjoy bipartisan support.
Daniel Jorjani, currently the top lawyer for Interior, has been nominated to fill the vacant role as solicitor for the department.
But he has been criticized by Democrats for his role in Interior’s controversial public records review process and responses to questions about it they said lacked candor.
“The solicitor must uphold the law above all else about, above party politics and ideology. That was not the sense I got” about Jorjani, said Sen. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinGOP sen: Democrats talking about ‘Medicare for All’ shows they’re unhappy with ObamaCare Overnight Health Care — Sponsored by Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids — Senate panel advances bipartisan package on health costs | Grassley, Wyden in talks on deal to limit drug price increases | Court asks if blue states have standing in ObamaCare suit Manchin on ‘Medicare for All’: ‘We can’t even pay for Medicare for some’ MORE (D-W.Va.), the committee’s ranking Democrat.
Daniel Jorjani was voted out of the committee Thursday after the committee re-did the vote to cover procedural grounds. It’s not yet clear when his nomination may reach the Senate floor.
Also advanced out of committee was Mark Lee Greenblatt, who has been nominated to take over Interior’s Office of Inspector General and would take over investigations that likely involve Jorjani.
