Senate poised to confirm EPA, Agriculture nominees
The Senate is speeding to confirm David Fotouhi for EPA deputy administrator and Stephen Vaden for deputy Agriculture secretary this week. Committees are also pushing energy and environment nominees forward. More than four months after President Donald Trump took office, Fotouhi is the third of nine candidates for various EPA posts whose nomination has made it to the Senate floor. Senate lawmakers voted Monday evening 53-43 along party lines to wind down debate on Fotouhi, a lawyer who also worked at EPA during Trump’s first term. A final roll call is scheduled for Tuesday. Fotouhi’s nomination won approval in March from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on a 10-9 tally, also on party lines. Before Monday’s vote, committee leaders offered starkly contrasting portrayals of Fotouhi’s credentials.
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