Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Leavitt a man of character. "I hope that character will come through in the environmental policy of this country and can override the bad policies of this administration."

Republicans gave Leavitt a universal chorus of praise.

"Gov. Leavitt stands for environmental principals we desperately need here in Washington: collaboration, not polarization; national standards, neighborhood solutions; reward results, not programs," Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., said.

The vote comes 56 days after Leavitt was formally nominated, and 80 days after it was first announced. He was supported by all 51 Senate Republicans, 36 Democrats and the Senate's one independent.

Even Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who had delayed Leavitt's nomination by placing a "hold" on it, voted for him. That came after the White House promised to work to help resolve concerns about air inside New York buildings possibly contaminated with toxic dust after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Among the other five Democrats who had placed holds on Leavitt, two voted against him: Lautenberg and Boxer. Three others — all presidential candidates — missed the vote: Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.; John Kerry, D-Mass.; and John Edwards, D-N.C.

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Contributing: The Associated Press.

E-MAIL: lee@desnews.com