Gina

Gina McCarthy’s challenge to be confirmed by the Senate as chief of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be more difficult once the president rolls out his climate change initiative Tuesday, said an energy specialist with the Bracewell Policy Resolution Group.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted out the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The nomination cleared the Senate panel by 10-8, with key Republicans voting no, including Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the ranking member. He said his support for McCarthy’s nomination on the Senate floor would hinge on the nominee’s answers to Republicans’ requests involving greater transparency at the agency. All eight Republicans on the committee had boycotted an earlier vote, preventing the panel from advancing the appointment to the Senate floor. Democrats were unable at the time to establish a quorum despite holding a two-seat advantage on the panel. McCarthy’s nomination is not out of the woods yet. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) still has a hold on McCarthy’s nomination over a dispute involving a water project in his state.

After Republicans ended their week-long boycott, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted out the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Thursday is scheduled to vote on the nomination of Gina McCarthy to head up the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A Missouri senator said he is placing a hold on the nomination of Gina McCarthy for head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) until the Obama administration says when it will release a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for a water project in his state.