By Martin Kidston/Missoula Current

A confirmation vote scheduled Tuesday for Rep. Ryan Zinke as Interior secretary was postponed due to miscommunication within the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a spokesman said.

Nichole Daigle, communications director for the committee, told the Missoula Current that the meeting will be rescheduled.

“Sen. (Lisa) Murkowski postponed the meeting due to a miscommunication between her and Sen. (Maria) Cantwell,” Daigle said. “She wants to start 2017 on a good footing with her ranking member. Sen. Murkowski hopes to be able to put a vote before the full committee very quickly.”

The Senate committee abruptly postponed its scheduled vote Tuesday on Zinke’s confirmation, along with that of former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who’s been nominated to lead the Energy Department.

The committee’s announcement came in a terse notice on its website and did not include an explanation for the postponement.

The notice led to speculation that Zinke’s confirmation was in trouble, possibly due to his recent statement that climate change is not a “hoax,” as suggested by his future boss, President Donald Trump.

Zinke appeared before the committee on Jan. 17.

Daigle said she would provide further details on the meeting when the schedule is confirmed.

Contact reporter Martin Kidston at info@missoulacurrent.com