Tracy Stone-Manning's allies say they're unconcerned by new reports she might have had more involvement in a decades-old tree-spiking operation than she originally let on.
Their steadfast loyalty to the nominee to run the Bureau of Land Management will be crucial in the coming weeks as Republican opponents harden and expand the efforts against her in hopes of derailing her confirmation.
Collin O'Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, where Stone-Manning is senior adviser for conservation policy, said yesterday that his colleague's "incredibly collaborative track record is why Tracy was nominated, and it's why she'll be a phenomenal director."
...Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in a statement said that his former legislative aide was a "dedicated public servant who has devoted her life to advocating for the public lands that drive our economy and serve as the backbone of Montana's outdoor heritage" and "I look forward to her confirmation."
In the Senate, she'll likely need all the Democratic help she can get.
Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said a retired federal agent's account of Stone-Manning's participation in the tree-spiking case necessitated that "President Biden must withdraw her nomination."
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a frequent swing vote, announced last week that she plans to vote against Stone-Manning, making the nominee's path to confirmation extremely narrow.
The chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, is expected to back Stone-Manning but told E&E News last week he was still "working on it" when asked if he had decided to support her...MORE
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