Tell Sen. Menendez to lift hold on Obama science advisers

The Washington Post reported that the nominations of two of President Obama's top science advisers have stalled in the Senate, posing a challenge to the administration as it seeks to frame new policies on climate change and other environmental issues.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has placed a "hold" that blocks votes on confirming Harvard University physicist John Holdren, who is in line to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco, Obama's nominee to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The reason for the hold?

According to sources who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter, Menendez is using the holds as leverage to get Senate leaders' attention for a matter related to Cuba rather than questioning the nominees' credentials.

Tell Senator Menendez to free these scientists. We need them for the looming battle over science-based climate legislation. You can contact Senator Menendez by email (only if you're a constituent though) or at any of his offices:

317 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202.224.4744
202.228.2197 fax

One Gateway Center,
Suite 1100
Newark, New Jersey 07102
973.645.3030
973.645.0502 fax

208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18
Barrington, New Jersey 08007
856.757.5353
856.546.1526 fax