The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee last week approved the nomination of Ken Kopocis to serve as EPA’s Assistant Administrator for Water. Committee members voted in favor of Kopocis along party lines, and the move clears the way for the full Senate to consider the nomination.
President Obama originally nominated Kopocis to the EPA position in 2011, and the EPW Committee gave its blessing later that year. But Senate Republicans blocked a floor vote on his nomination over a series of concerns about several water-related regulations under development at the agency. President Obama re-nominated Kopocis for the position this year.
Kopocis stands a better chance of winning Senate approval this time due to a rule change pushed through by Senate Democrats that eliminated the minority’s ability to filibuster executive-branch nominees.