Senate Confirms Interior Deputy

"The Senate confirmed David J. Hayes as a top Interior Department deputy last night as two Republican senators ended a standoff with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar that had held up Hayes's nomination.

Sens. Robert F. Bennett (Utah) and  Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) had blocked the nomination of Hayes, a natural resources lawyer. They led senators who voted to block Hayes's confirmation last week, making him the first Obama pick to be turned back in a floor vote.

Bennett and Murkowski were unhappy that Salazar had canceled oil and gas leases in Utah. Salazar said yesterday that Hayes would review those leases once in office."

David A. Farenthold reports for the Washington Post May 21, 2009.