This vote was on confirming Cass Sunstein to head the regulatory division of the Office of Management and Budget, the White House’s powerful arm that oversees the budget and management of every federal agency. 

Sunstein, a Harvard law professor, was nominated to the office that reviews and approves all regulates issued by executive branch agencies.  His nomination drew arrows from both sides of the partisan divide:  from Republicans, who were concerned about his positions on animal rights, and from Democrats, who were concerned about his past support for some of President Bush’s regulatory initiatives.

The outcome of this vote was never in question, as the real test vote for his nomination had occurred prior (see vote 273), when the Senate voted to bring debate to a close on his nomination and proceed to a final vote.

By a vote of 57-40, the Senate voted to confirm Cass Sunstein.  All but five Democrats present voted for the nomination.  All but six Republicans present voted against the nomination.  The end result is that the Senate confirmed Cass Sunstein to head the regulatory arm of the Office of Management and Budget.