Two key members of President Trump’s energy team were approved by the Senate energy committee on Tuesday.
The Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry to be secretary of energy and Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., to be interior secretary. Zinke was approved 16-6 and Perry was confirmed by 17-6.
With those votes, the two confirmations will soon move to the Senate floor.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the chairwoman of the committee, vowed to lead the charge on the floor to ensure they are confirmed. The top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington, opposes Perry’s confirmation over fears he will close a number of the offices at the Energy Department. She said her fears have not been allayed.
On Wednesday, the Senate environment committee will hold a vote to confirm Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Democrats are seeking to stall the vote on Pruitt, saying he failed to answer adequately questions put to him by Democrats.
