WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2009) – Senate confirmation of two of President Obama’s science appointees —John Holdren to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Jane Lubchenco to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) — is on hold because of political maneuvering on an unrelated issue.
The delay isn’t about the scientists’ credentials, but is being used by Sen. Robert Menendez (D–N.J.) as a bargaining chip to gain his colleagues’ support on a matter related to Cuba, according to The Washington Post, citing an unidentified source. It’s not clear from the story what that matter is, but as the Nature blog The Great Beyond notes, Menendez has previously criticized the Castro regime. Menendez, who is Cuban-Americans, also opposes Senate legislation that would ease travel restrictions to the island nation.
Read the Scientific American story in full