Threats of delay hang over Leavitt

WASHINGTON — As they took political shots at him Tuesday, senators repeatedly asked why on earth Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt wants to head the Environmental Protection Agency — a job where criticism never stops.

"The answer is simple. I do so because I passionately believe that this nation deserves to have a clean, safe and healthy environment. I also believe that the United States can increase the velocity of our environmental progress, and we can do it without compromising our competitive position in the world," Leavitt said.

However, Leavitt's confirmation hearing before the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee made clear that Democrats will try to keep his nomination on hold — maybe indefinitely — as President Bush nears the final year of his term.

The committee is scheduled to vote on Leavitt's nomination next Wednesday and then possibly forward it to the full Senate. However, Democrats warned that could be delayed if Leavitt is unable to respond in writing by then to numerous questions they are sending to him.

The threats of delay were not because Senate Democrats dislike or distrust Leavitt, whose skills won wide praise Tuesday. It is because some seek to hold his nomination hostage in exchange for explanations they want from Bush, or to protest the president's actions.

Three senators said they are still proceeding for now with "holds" on Leavitt's nomination, which is a vow to filibuster, or prolong the debate, if it comes up on the Senate floor. Stopping such endless debate requires a three-fifths majority. Leaders often avoid bringing up nominations facing holds to avoid tying up the floor.

Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said they will continue a hold on Leavitt until they hear why the EPA announced that dust after the 9/11 attacks was safe when data did not show that. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., placed a hold seeking a study on how Bush policies may be hurting the environment.

And Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he is also considering a hold to protest Bush blocking the nomination of a Reid adviser to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Leavitt took the political maneuvering in stride. "Now that has concluded, I will go back and give my best as governor. If the Senate confirms me, I'll give my best as administrator of the EPA," he said.

Meanwhile, Republicans blasted Democrats for the holds — and for announcing them even before Leavitt had his hearing. "I hope senators will not engage in political blackmail and will instead provide him the up-or-down vote the president's nominees deserve," said Sen. John Cornyn, D-Texas.