The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last weekvoted out the controversial nomination of Gale Norton for secretaryof the Department of Interior.

The committee vote was 18 to 2, with Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) andCharles E. Schumer (D-NY) weighing in against her nomination. Thefull Senate is expected to begin debate on her nomination today andvote on it Tuesday, according to a committee spokesman.

It’s not clear yet whether the Norton nomination will face anytrouble in the Senate. Wyden and Schumer reportedly have indicatedthey don’t plan to hold it up, a Capitol Hill aide said, but shenoted environmental groups are putting enormous pressure on othersenators to block her confirmation.

Norton has been under attack by environmental groups, which haveaccused her of favoring business and individual interests overthose of the environment. The groups also are concerned because sheadvocates opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil andgas exploration and production.

Susan Parker

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