The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved nominations Wednesday for key environment and science-focused positions in the Trump administration. … The panel approved the nomination of Timothy Petty for deputy administrator at NOAA on a bipartisan 21-7 vote, with only Democrats voting in opposition. Petty has been an aide to multiple members of Congress and on various committees, handling matters on water, natural resources, infrastructure, science and technology. He also served as assistant secretary for water and science at the Interior Department during the first Trump administration, and as the acting assistant secretary in the George W. Bush administration.