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JANUARY 19, 2001

On the opening day of Senate testimony for one of George W. Bush's controversial Cabinet nominees, Gale Norton on Thursday vowed to make improving the lives of Native Americans a top priority should she be confirmed as Secretary of Interior.

"I think we should all recognize that the situation in Indian Country is not as it should be," Norton told the Energy and Natural Resources Committee in her opening statement. "There is much that I believe we can do in partnership with our nation's proud Native American tribes to improve conditions and provide a more hopeful future."

Focusing specifically on Bush's campaign promise of repairing and constructing crumbling tribal schools, Norton assured several Senators who raised the issue -- including Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo), and Pete Domenici (R-N.Mex), also members of the Committee on Indian Affairs -- of her "personal commitment" to carrying out the goal. Congress in October approved nearly $300 million for repairs, although the Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates nearly $1 billion will be needed to fix them all.

But as Republican members of the committee received Norton's views on the natural resource development, national monuments, Indian trust fund reform, and land preservation with delight, Democratic members raised issues they found "disturbing." Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.Mex) criticized her protection of individual needs over public interest, defense of states' rights over federal ones, and support of economic development over environmental protection.

And referring to a potentially troublesome area for Indian Country, Norton yesterday said she supported self-determination as a "concept." Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) questioned Norton on her views of states' rights "overriding" tribal sovereignty.

"It boils down, I think, to the idea that decisions of government are often best made when made closest to the people who are affected by those decisions," responded Norton. "And what is true for states is true for tribes."

As critics have pointed out, however, Norton in several instances has advocated against local-decision making by tribes. As Attorney General for Colorado, Norton signed several friend-of-the-court briefs in which she and other Western states argued that the Supreme Court not recognize tribal jurisdiction over lands in Alaska, Montana, Minnesota, and Washington.

With day two of hearings continuing this morning, Norton appears headed for confirmation despite all of the criticism. In addition to statements of support by Campbell, Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colo), and Governor Bill Owens (R-Colo), other Republicans in the committee praised Norton, decried attacks against her, and said they looked forward to working with her after eight years of a Bill Clinton administration they often found oppressive.

"Gale Norton has extensive legal, regulatory, state and federal government experience which duly qualifies her to serve as Secretary of a department as diverse as Interior," said Domenici after the hearing yesterday. "She exemplifies the qualities of a consensus builder, not a divider."

Get Transcript of Hearing:
Text: Gale Norton's Senate Confirmation Hearing (eMediaMillWorks 1/18)

Relevant Links:
Stop Gale Norton - www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/
stop-norton/index.html
Say No to Norton - www.saynotonorton.org
Private Fuel Storage - www.privatefuelstorage.com
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee - www.senate.gov/~energy

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