The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee cleared deputy Interior nominee Shannon Estenoz by a vote of 16-3 Wednesday morning.
Estenoz, who would replace acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis, currently serves as the assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks.
She received high praise during her confirmation hearing from both sides of the aisle, and she faced only fleeting resistance during Wednesday’s markup.
Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) urged colleagues to support Estenoz — and the most prominent Republican dissents were not because of the nominee herself.