White House throws in the towel on Interior nominee

The White House is ending its battle to win confirmation of Rebecca Wodder, the nominee for a senior Interior Department conservation position who previously headed the environmental group American Rivers.

Wodder, whose 2011 nomination has languished for months and never came to the Senate floor, will not be renominated this year.

“As a result of the prolonged nomination process, Rebecca Wodder has asked the President that she not be re-nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks,” said Interior spokesman Adam Fetcher in a statement.

Wodder, who led the rivers group from 1994-2011, drew GOP criticism over past statements critical of hydraulic fracturing, mountaintop removal coal mining and other energy matters.

“It is clear that some Republicans were posturing rather than looking at the merits of this nomination,” an administration official said. Wodder was nominated in June.

Wodder cleared the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee over GOP opposition in December, but, lacking votes, was not brought up for a vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Some conservative Democrats have also expressed concerns about Wodder.

Wodder will have a role at Interior, however, working on conservation efforts including the America’s Great Outdoors program, which is an administration outdoor recreation and conservation initiative.

“Based on her extensive experience and expertise, the Secretary has asked her to serve as a senior advisor, working primarily on conservation issues and the America’s Great Outdoors initiative,” Fetcher said.

Some senior Republicans cheered the decision not to seek Wodder's confirmation.

“From the very beginning there were serious concerns and questions raised about this failed nominee’s previous employment and ability to adequately represent broader interests at the federal level,” said Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee.

Rachel Jacobson will continue serving in the assistant secretary’s role on an acting basis, Interior said.