With hurricane season starting June 1, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle joined disaster-response organizations in urging Vitter to relent.
Fugate, a former Florida emergency management chief, otherwise has broad bipartisan support. He is expected to win quick confirmation.
Vitter said in a letter sent Tuesday to acting FEMA administrator Nancy Word that he would release his hold.
He said Fugate has offered assurances that the flood-zone rebuilding issues would be resolved, "allowing for the crucial rebuilding of key infrastructure."
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