From Deseret News archives:

New hurdles arise in Leavitt's EPA bid

Panel endorses him 16-2, but Demos place more 'holds'

Published: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 9:19 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
WASHINGTON — As a Senate committee finally voted 16-2 Wednesday to endorse Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Democrats quickly built more and higher hurdles for him to clear in the full Senate.

Meanwhile, several Republicans say that because of the Democrats' maneuvers, President Bush could choose to make Leavitt a "recess appointee," without Senate confirmation � perhaps next month.

Leavitt said Wednesday in Utah that he has had no discussions with the White House about such an appointment.

"I don't have any precise expectation about what will happen" in the full Senate, the governor said. "I am committed to the idea that if the Senate confirms me, I will serve in Washington. Until then, I will continue to serve here as governor."

Two more senators — Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. — placed "holds" Wednesday on Leavitt's nomination. Holds are pledges to filibuster to prevent a final vote on him unless he resolves their concerns. Leavitt now faces a total of six such tough-to-quash holds.

Story continues below
While most are protests against President Bush's environmental policies or seek pledges for various action, Lautenberg's new hold attacks Leavitt's personal record. "Gov. Leavitt has repeatedly refused to enforce our nation's environmental laws, damaging Utah's environment so corporate polluters can make millions," he said.

Still, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., predicted Leavitt will clear all obstacles and be confirmed soon.

"I certainly believe that those individuals with holds — most of whom are running for president — will not allow cheap politics to cheapen a man of this quality," he told the Deseret Morning News.

"There is no reason this man is not going to be confirmed."

Filibusters against nominees can be stopped with a three-fifths vote. However, Republicans control only 51 of the Senate's 100 votes, and they need 60 to stop filibusters.

If Bush chooses instead to wait for a recess in Congress to make Leavitt a "recess appointee," Leavitt could serve for a year without confirmation, which would take him to near the end of Bush's current term.

However, the Senate usually frowns upon such action as evading its right to consent, which could make permanent confirmation for Leavitt difficult to impossible if Bush wins a second term.

The delays, however, have raised the possibility of such a recess appointment.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image
Douglas C. Pizac, Associated Press

Gov. Mike Leavitt fields questions after having been approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in a 16-2 vote.

previousnext

Latest comments

The Deseret News should do some investigating into when the Ogden School...

I hope a member of PETA doesn't get an illness that could've been prevented...

4A preview: Springville vs. Dixie

It went about the same as MC vs TV a game decided by extra points thats right...

Gayle Ruzicka is worse than Gladys Kravitz. She's like Wilma Flintstone's...

I agree, bring Tag back!

3A playoffs: Tigers vs. Miners

Yes, if you count 8 man football, Hurricane actually did beat Dixie for the...

The LDS church agrees that you should not be denied employment or evicted...

To Why Obamacare will not work: That's an urban legend, it never happened.

PETA targets U. laboratories

Forget the animals, lets test on PETA personal.

I bought the book and read it I am happy for her with everything she was made...

Advertisements
Advertisement