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Senate confirms Amanda M. Lefton as commissioner of DEC, 57–4
Summary
The New York State Senate confirmed Amanda Lefton as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation after committee hearings and floor statements of support; the nomination passed by recorded vote.
The New York State Senate confirmed Amanda M. Lefton as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation in a recorded vote on Wednesday.
Senators praised Lefton’s experience in environmental policy and conservation during committee hearings and on the floor. Sen. Liz Krueger, who handled the nomination, said Lefton had “fielded 90 minutes worth of questions” in joint hearings and that “she was an extraordinarily impressive nominee.” Sen. Pete Harckham also urged confirmation, saying Lefton was the right person for the job “at the right time for DEC.”
Lefton has worked in and out of government on climate and environmental issues, officials noted during the confirmation debate. Supporters told the Senate she had engaged with legislators and stakeholders and had the votes for confirmation after the committee-level review.
The clerk called the roll and reported the final tally. The chamber recorded 57 yeas and 4 nays on the nomination; senators voting in the negative were identified on the floor. The clerk then stated “The nominee is confirmed.”
Lefton’s nomination will place her at the helm of a department responsible for parks, environmental quality, watershed and forest protection, and implementation of the new laws and regulations the Senate passed in the session.
Senate statements accompanying the confirmation thanked Lefton and noted the workload ahead at DEC, including responding to emerging contaminants and climate-related environmental issues.
