The White House's abrupt withdrawal of its intended Interior Department deputy secretary nomination for Elizabeth Klein is a signal moment for a new administration that's still finding its feet. By pulling Klein's bid even before a confirmation hearing had been scheduled, the Biden administration implicitly conceded the clout of a few Senate centrists. It reveals limits ahead for a progressive agenda and presents new teamwork tests for Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Most immediately, the failure of Klein's nomination restarts the backstage and out-front maneuvering for the position most often responsible for managing Interior's day-to-day operations. "Liz Klein's nomination was never formally submitted to the United States Senate, and she will not be nominated to this position," a White House spokesperson said today, speaking on condition of anonymity.
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