"The Senate confirmed Craig Fugate as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday, hours after Sen. David Vitter, R-La., dropped his hold on the nominee.

Vitter had stalled the nomination for the past 12 days, complaining that the agency is dragging its feet on key hurricane rebuilding projects in Grand Isle and in Cameron Parish. Under Senate rules, a single senator can hold up votes because most nominations are brought up under a procedure requiring unanimous consent of all senators.

Vitter relented after getting a letter from Nancy Ward, FEMA's acting administrator, saying, 'We share your desire to achieve solutions that meet the needs and are in the best interests of those affected.'"

Bruce Alpert reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune May 12, 2009. [2]

See Also:

"As Hurricane Season Nears, Vitter Relents" (McClatchy/Miami Herald) [3]

"Vitter Lifts Hold" (Politico) [4]

"Vitter Lifts Objections" (Federal Eye/Wash Post) [5]

"Vitter Agrees To Stop Endangering Constituents" (Politics Daily) [6]