Landrieu sees weeks of talks over hold on nomination for head of OMB

By Ben Geman - 09/29/10 01:56 PM ET

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) doesn’t sound close to an agreement with the White House on offshore oil-and-gas drilling that would end her opposition to Jacob Lew’s confirmation as Office of Management and Budget director.

“We are in discussions, meetings and discussions, and we will continue to talk about it over the next several weeks until we get back,” Landrieu told reporters Wednesday in the Capitol.

The Louisiana senator — a strong ally of oil producers — is blocking Lew’s confirmation until the Obama administration lifts or alters the freeze on deepwater oil drilling. She’s also seeking an acceleration of permits for shallow-water projects.

The Senate will depart as soon as today until after the midterm elections. Landrieu met Tuesday with top Interior Department officials to discuss the drilling ban.

Landrieu said Wednesday that while Lew is an “outstanding” choice, she’s acting to prevent further economic harm to the Gulf Coast that has been battered by hurricanes, the oil spill and now the drilling ban.

Landrieu said she enjoys working with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and respects him, but added: "He and I just are seeing this differently right now."

"If we can get something done in the next couple of weeks I will be happy to lift my hold," she said.

This post was updated at 2:45 p.m.