Panel Approves Sharpiegate Climate Agency Chief Nomination (1)

A Senate panel Wednesday advanced the nomination of scientist Neil Jacobs to lead a critical climate agency.

The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee approved Jacobs on a voice vote to be administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency that has lost more than 1,000 employees since January due to layoffs and voluntary departures.

Jacobs received bipartisan support, notably from the committee’s top Democrat Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

Panel Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said he and Cantwell will introduce bipartisan legislation to modernize NOAA weather radio warning systems. Cruz said the purpose of the bill would be to ...