GOP senators block Interior Dept. pick

WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- The nomination of David Hayes to the No. 2 spot at the U.S. Interior Department was blocked Wednesday by Senate Republicans, observers said.

A 57-39 vote to proceed with the confirmation of Hayes fell short of the number necessary, and was seen as a protest by GOP senators over President Barack Obama's moves to cancel scores of oil and gas drilling leases in Utah wilderness areas, The Wall Street Journal reported. Hayes held the same Interior Department position under former President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001.

The Republican senators have been battling with Democrats who say they would rather promote alternative energy than endorse opening up environmentally sensitive areas to drilling, the newspaper said.