Nominee to Head National-Service Agency Passes First Hurdle

President Obama’s pick to head the Corporation for National and Community Service has moved one step closer to getting the job.

Wendy Spencer, a longtime volunteerism advocate, was approved for the position by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. The full Senate must now vote to confirm the nomination.

Mr. Obama tapped Ms. Spencer in October to fill the position vacated by Patrick Corvington, who resigned unexpectedly in May after 14 months in the role. She now leads Volunteer Florida: the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps grants in the state and coordinates donations and volunteers after disasters.

A spokeswoman for the Senate committee said it is not clear when the Senate will vote on the nomination.