Several news agencies reported that NOAA, a Commerce Department agency that provides weather and oceanographic data to shipping, has begun firing staff. CBS News reported that some 880 employees lost their jobs, while CNN reported that the cuts impacted around 800.
Lutnick’s nomination was approved by senators in a 51-45 party-line vote. Four Senators, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), missed the vote.