Senate Confirms DOT, EPA Cabinet Picks

The Senate Thursday confirmed President Obama’s picks to head the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency, the Associated Press reported.

Ray LaHood, a Republican and former Illinois representative, was unanimously approved late Thursday as Secretary of Transportation, AP said.

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee confirmed LaHood for the appointment earlier in the day.

“We cannot let the assets we inherited fall apart,” LaHood said in his prepared testimony before that committee.

The Senate also approved Lisa Jackson, most recently New Jersey's environmental protection commissioner, as EPA administrator.