Despite several previous holds on the nominations, the LA Times reports that the vote was unanimous. Lubchenco also spoke to the restoration of evidence to the policymaking process:

“There will be no muzzling or muffling or distortion of science, or delays in science in this administration,” Lubchenco said. The best available science will guide policy decisions, she said, and discoveries or updates will be shared “whether they meet our preconceived ideas or meet our agenda.”

In a video address posted on the OSTP home page, Holdren talks about the current pressing national problems and says: “science and technology are crucial tools for dealing with theses challenges, and indeed for turning many of them into oppoutnites.”