Senate confirms Lew as OMB director

The Senate confirmed Jacob Lew as director of the Office of Management and Budget after Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) lifted a hold on his nomination. The hold was a protest of the Administration's six-month moratorium on deepwater oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. Sen Landrieu said that "notable progress has been made" in her talks with the Interior Department and noted that some permits have been issued. The nomination was confirmed by voice vote.