WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today sent the nomination of Gale Norton as Secretary of the Interior to the full Senate for approval. Ms. Norton’s nomination hearing was held by the Committee last week. Today’s roll call vote was 18 to 2. Chairman Frank H. Murkowski said he was pleased with the outcome. “I congratulate Ms. Norton on her approval by this Committee. She handled herself well during our hearing last week and addressed the criticism leveled at her by outside special interest groups. I think these groups went overboard with their rancorous and misleading attacks on her, and they have truly hurt their credibility,” said Murkowski. The full Senate is expected to vote on Norton’s nomination shortly. For today’s vote, Republican Committee members from the 106th Congress voted, and Democratic Committee members from the 107th Congress voted. Roll Call Vote: REPUBLICANS: Chairman Frank H. Murkowski, (Alaska) - Aye Pete V. Domenici, (N.M.) - Aye Don Nickles (Okla.) - Aye Larry Craig (Idaho) - Aye Gordon Smith (Ore.) - Aye Jim Bunning (Ky.) - Aye Peter G. Fitzgerald (Ill.) - Aye Conrad Burns (Mont.) - Aye Craig Thomas (Wyo.) - Aye Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Colo.) - Aye DEMOCRATS: Jeff Bingaman (N.M.) - Aye Daniel K. Akaka (Hawaii) - Aye Byron L. Dorgan (N.D.) - Aye Bob Graham (Fla.) - Aye Ron Wyden (Ore.) - No Mary Landrieu (La.) - Aye Evan Bayh (Ind.) - Aye Diane Feinstein (Calif.) - Aye Maria Cantwell (Wash.) - Aye Charles Schumer (N.Y.) - No