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Wyoming senator holds up EPA nominee

Barrasso spokesman says the senator wants Jackson vetted more thoroughly. But his primary objection has to do with the newly-created position of White House energy czar.
EPA Administrator
EPA Administrator-designate Lisa Jackson, center, flanked by Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., left, and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair-designate Nancy Sutley, listen to their introduction before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Wednesday.Lauren Victoria Burke / AP
/ Source: The Associated Press

A Wyoming senator is holding up confirmation of President-elect Barack Obama's nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

A spokesman for Sen. John Barrasso said the Republican is refusing to agree to a unanimous consent motion to speed up a Senate confirmation vote on former New Jersey environmental official Lisa Jackson, Obama's choice for EPA administrator.

Barrasso spokesman Greg Keeley said the senator wants Jackson vetted more thoroughly. But his primary objection has to do with the newly-created position of White House energy czar filled by former EPA administrator Carol Browner. Keeley said Barrasso has been promised a meeting with Browner but no date has yet been set. Barrasso's action is expected to briefly delay but not block Senate confirmation of Jackson.