[ECA Note: The senate confirmed former Texas Gov. Rick Perry 62-37. Perry was supported by all Senate Republicans, and 10 Democrats/Indepedents, including Debbie Stabenow (D-MI),
Joe Manchin (D-WV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Angus King (I-ME).]
The Senate voted 62 to 37
Thursday afternoon to confirm former Texas governor Rick Perry as energy secretary, brushing aside Perry’s onetime vow to abolish the department.
The genial Republican drew less fire from Democrats during his confirmation process than other Trump nominees, but Perry now faces many of the same tough issues over regulations, the department’s activities to slow climate change and potentially deep cuts in manpower and
spending.
As Texas governor,
Perry presided over a boom in all kinds of energy production, including wind power and shale drilling. Many of his supporters cited that record as evidence that he could help a similarly wide variety of energy interests. >>Continue
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