Bennett wins battle in war over Interior nominee

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, won the initial battle Wednesday in what is escalating into a war with the Interior Department over Utah oil and gas leases, as just enough of the Senate supported him to block confirmation of Interior's No. 2 official.

It was the first time the Senate voted to block any Obama nominee, but more rounds are expected in the fight.

Bennett is blocking the nomination of David Hayes as deputy Interior secretary until the department conducts a review that Bennett says it promised into whether Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's recision of a Bush administration auction of Utah oil and gas leases was appropriate.

A vote to try to cut off Bennett's threat to talk the nomination to death failed Wednesday to achieve the required 60 votes, dying 57-39.

"The real issue in this matter is the credibility of the Department of Interior," Bennett told the Senate.

But Salazar said, "This was a tired vote of bitter obstructionism. It may be uncomfortable for some to watch us have to clean up mess after mess — from corruption to lawbreaking — that is the previous administration's legacy at Interior, but to cast a vote against such qualified and fine person is the height of cynicism."

Hayes, an environmental lawyer, held the same No. 2 job at Interior during the Bill Clinton administration.

At issue is Salazar's decision shortly after he took office to rescind the auction of 77 oil and gas leases in Utah made by the Bush administration in December.

Bennett told the Senate that Salazar made factually incorrect statements about why he rescinded the auction, and did not keep promises to conduct a review of that decision.

Bennett told the Senate, "They say these (canceled) leases are too close to the national parks. Sixty miles away is not too close."

He added, "They say they resulted without consultation with the National Park Service, but that National Park Service is on record as saying it was done."

And he said that Hayes gave him written responses that a review of the decision would be made, and listed what officials would be involved and promised a completion date.

"The team was not appointed, and the date was not met," Bennett said. He complained that Salazar sent him a letter saying Hayes would begin that review if confirmed, but Bennett said he wants the promises kept before he and Republicans will vote on Hayes.