Despite the White House responding to trade associations across the country earlier this month that it stood by its nomination of Ann Carlson to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), yesterday the Biden administration officially waved the white flag.

The White House officially withdrew Ann Carlson’s nomination at NHTSA late Wednesday amid growing concerns over her lack of qualifications as a traffic safety expert and background as a climate litigation activist.

While no Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee publicly came out against Carlson, Biden’s abrupt decision to withdraw the nomination suggests Carlson may have faced bipartisan opposition and lacked the votes to advance. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) on Senate Commerce are all likely to face competitive reelection races next year.

Read more at EID Climate here.