Science Adviser Holds Update: Not Martinez, Not Vitter
On a day when President Obama struck a blow for truth-based science by reversing his predecessor's restrictions on stem cell research, it's unfortunate to report that two of Obama's top science advisors remain in limbo as anonymous Senate holds slow their confirmation.
I reported on Friday that John Holdren, nominated to become chief White House science adviser, and Jane Lubchenco, nominated to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, were being slowed by multiple GOP objections. But TPMDC is on the case quizzing potential culprits, and we can rule out two likely suspects: Sens. David Vitter (R-LA) and Mel Martinez (R-FL), both members of the Commerce Committee with jurisdiction over the nominees.
A Martinez spokesman confirmed today that he has no hold on Holdren and Lubchenco, while Vitter told me that "I've expressed concerns about Dr. Holdren in particular, but I do not have a hold."
The search continues ...
Late Update: To answer those wondering about Sen. Robert Menendez's (D-NJ) reported hold on Holdren and Lubchenco, per the WaPo, his spokesman confirmed on Friday that Menendez is not standing in the nominees' way as of now. Other unnamed senators still are holding them, however, according to Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV).
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
We should start a pool! 500 quatloos on Inhofe.
March 9, 2009 6:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought TPM already reported that Menendez was doing this. Am I misunderstanding, or did I miss a retraction or something?
March 9, 2009 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Menendez is not standing in the nominees' way as of now."
AS OF NOW. That means he was standing in the way previously. He's a sleazebag. But not the sleazebag currently standing in the way.
March 9, 2009 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can we PUHLEEEESE do away with Senatorial holds, or, at the VERY least, do away with anonymous holds? The Republicans never respected Dem holds when they were running things, and the Dems in the Senate need to be less effing accommodating to these obstructionist pigs......
March 9, 2009 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
How very Republican to put science on hold.
How can we help?
March 9, 2009 6:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
my bet is still on diaper boy
March 9, 2009 6:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I say, we all dawn berkas and issue anonymous bitch slaps to all Pug Senators
March 9, 2009 7:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Either Idiothofe or the other nut sack from Oklahoma, Wacky Tom. That's what us Okie dems call the two embarrassments from this state.
March 9, 2009 7:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keeping the information stream alive....this site courtesy of Olberman tonight (sorry it's not "holds", just more flat out evidence Jefferson was right that banks are our greatest threat..):
http://www.wallstreetwatch.org/
March 9, 2009 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've got Vitter from three sources - a Democratic Party Senator's office, from a staffer for the majority in CS&T, and from an emailer who was sort of an a-hole about it, but who I'll regard as credible for now.
I didn't bother to call Vitter's people. You've already told us what they'll say.
March 9, 2009 8:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are an excellent reporter, Elana, and if you say they ain't the ones holding, I believe you.
But these are Republicans afterall. Just because they say they aren't holding, can we really believe them?
March 9, 2009 9:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about DeMint or Brownback? They both issued statements today critical of President Obama's Stem Cell Research decision.
March 9, 2009 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why are we vulnerable to anonymous holds, when we are the majority. Can we at least not out the motherfuckers?
March 10, 2009 1:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
My bet is the idiot from Oklahoma. Which one? Could be either but my money's on Inhofe.
March 10, 2009 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
try Olympia snowe - she is furious with NOAA and NMFS- and fears the policies Lubchenco might bring to New England - further NMFS is holding off a final fishing policy in the region that snowe opposes in the hopes that Lubchenco can sign off on it once she is confirmed.
March 10, 2009 7:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Members of the Commerce Committee:
Chair - Rockefeller(WV), Daniel K. Inouye (HI), John F. Kerry (MA), Byron L. Dorgan (ND), Barbara Boxer (CA), Bill Nelson (FL), Maria Cantwell (WA)
Frank R. Lautenberg (NJ), Mark Pryor (AR), Claire McCaskill (MO), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Tom Udall (NM), Mark Warner (VA), Mark Begich (AK)
Ranking Member - Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), Olympia J. Snowe (ME), John Ensign (NV), Jim DeMint (SC), John Thune (SD), Roger Wicker (MS), Johnny Isakson (GA), David Vitter (LA), Sam Brownback (KS), Mel Martinez (FL), Mike Johanns (NE)
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Elana has ruled out Martinez and Vitter. Should all of the Democrats be ruled out?
March 10, 2009 11:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just re-read the original post. Elana states that the nominees are "being slowed by multiple GOP objections." So that rules out the Democrats. Here are the GOP members of the Commerce Committee:
Vitter and Martinez have been ruled out so far. We need to contact Hutchison, Snowe, Ensign, DeMint, Thune, Wicker, Isakson, Brownback, and Johanns.
March 10, 2009 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink