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An obscure section tucked into a defense bill could upend President Joe Biden’s ability to replace John Kerry when he steps down as special presidential climate envoy in a few months.
The provision, which took effect at the start of 2023, requires special envoys appointed by the president to receive Senate confirmation, raising the risk that Biden’s nominee could be blocked or forced out after serving a temporary appointment.
It’s not clear if the legally untested measure — a longtime priority of Republicans — would be applied to the climate envoy post, which was created by Biden in 2021 and whose sole appointee, Kerry, a former senator and secretary of State, was not required to be confirmed.
But some Democratic senators anticipate the provision could cause enough concern within the White House to prompt the president to demote the role to avoid a confirmation fight. And several Republicans indicated to E&E News they would demand that Kerry’s successor face a vote on the Senate floor.
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