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Lubchenco's appointment as NOAA admin placed on hold
Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey put hold on Lubchenco confirmation, but not because he doubts her qualifications
Rebecca Johnson
Issue date: 3/9/09 Section: News
The confirmation of Jane Lubchenco as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association administrator is being held up in Congress, according to a report from The Washington Post.
According to the article, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez placed a hold on the confirmations of Lubchenco and also on John Holdren, president appointee for the position of Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Lubchenco and Holdren went before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Feb. 12 to complete their nominations hearing, answering questions about their qualifications. The hearings had gone well and it was predicted that they would be confirmed without objection.
According to anonymous sources cited in the article, the hold was not put in place due to any questions of Lubchenco's or Holdren's qualifications. Instead, the delay is due to separate issues with Cuba that Menendez is trying to bring attention to and is using the hold as leverage against members of the Senate.
The hold either must be raised by Menendez or the Senate will have to force a vote, but they would require 60 votes to pass.
Lubchenco has been a professor for the zoology department at OSU since 1977. She was appointed for the position at the NOAA by President Barack Obama in December 2008.
Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
According to the article, New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez placed a hold on the confirmations of Lubchenco and also on John Holdren, president appointee for the position of Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Lubchenco and Holdren went before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Feb. 12 to complete their nominations hearing, answering questions about their qualifications. The hearings had gone well and it was predicted that they would be confirmed without objection.
According to anonymous sources cited in the article, the hold was not put in place due to any questions of Lubchenco's or Holdren's qualifications. Instead, the delay is due to separate issues with Cuba that Menendez is trying to bring attention to and is using the hold as leverage against members of the Senate.
The hold either must be raised by Menendez or the Senate will have to force a vote, but they would require 60 votes to pass.
Lubchenco has been a professor for the zoology department at OSU since 1977. She was appointed for the position at the NOAA by President Barack Obama in December 2008.
Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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