Senate Commerce OKs OSTP Nominee

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the nomination of Eric Lander to be Office of Science and Technology Policy director to the floor Thursday (see 2105140049). Five Republicans voted no: Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; Ted Cruz of Texas; Mike Lee of Utah; Ron Johnson of Wisconsin; and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming.

Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she would have preferred a female nominee but has come to an understanding with Lander that his first task will be to add women and minorities to the science and technology field. She noted President Joe Biden has increased diversity at various cabinet positions and surrounded the OSTP with a variety of women who will “play key leadership roles.”

At the confirmation hearing, ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., raised concerns about Lander’s past relationships and associations (see 2104290060). Wicker told us Thursday he received satisfactory and substantive comments in response to his written questions: “Concerns were addressed and objections not well-founded.”

Wicker said he’s “grateful” for Lander’s views on equitable funding and research opportunities for all states or regions. That has been a sticking point in legislative conversations surrounding the Endless Frontier Act, now called the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. Wicker said he trusts Lander will work to improve fair distribution of research funding. The position is “more consequential” because Biden elevated the OSTP director to a cabinet-level post, said Wicker. Cantwell said this underscores the post’s significance and the role science will play in decision-making.

There’s “word” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., might want to consider FTC nominee Lina Khan’s confirmation (see 2105120063) on the Senate floor before the Memorial Day legislative break, Wicker told us. Schumer’s office didn’t comment.

“I was very concerned about some past lack of attribution [from Lander] to other scientists of research that had been done, and I was very concerned about the fact those other scientists were not given attribution for the tremendous amount of work that they did with him,” Lummis said of her opposition. “He apologized at the hearing, so that was encouraging.” Duckworth accused Lander at his confirmation hearing of “downplaying” contributions of female Nobel Prize laureates, among other claims.

“My concern is having individuals that are going to serve our nation well, and I had questions and reservations, and so we’ll continue to work on this as that nomination moves forward,” Blackburn told us. Asked if her opposition involved past relationships, she said, “A variety of things.”

“There were a number of issues,” said Johnson. “I don’t really like getting into detail on any nominee. My vote speaks for itself.” Cruz directed questions to his spokespeople.

Lander is a “visionary scientist and thinker,” said Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., during the brief hearing and vote. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor will serve “with distinction,” he said, recommending him “very highly.”