Norton confirmation expected today

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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JANUARY 30, 2001

Update: Gale Norton was confirmed by a vote of 75-24 by the Senate this afternoon.

After three hours of debate on Monday, the full Senate emerged in bipartisan support of Gale Norton, President George W. Bush's controversial pick to head the Department of Interior.

But as the Senate is scheduled to vote on the issue this morning, some members still voiced doubts about the former Attorney General of Colorado. Yet with the exception of a few, none were committed outright to voting against her.

Jeff Bingaman (D-N.Mex), who chaired Norton's confirmation hearings, said he would support her and "give her the benefit of the doubt." Bingaman and other Democrats said Norton's repeated assurances that she would uphold and enforce environmental and land management laws despite criticizing them in the past helped sway their vote.

"I expect her to honor those commitments she's made to me and other Senators," said Bingaman, who characterized some of Norton's past positions as "disturbing" for a potential Secretary of Interior.

Unpersuaded, however, was freshman Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Citing concerns raised by Norton foes, Clinton at a news conference on Monday said she would vote against her confirmation.

"Gale Norton's support for self-regulation by polluters and limitations on corporate responsibility for environmental damage, combined with her failure to enforce clean air and clean water laws as a state attorney general, lead me to conclude she will seek to limit, evade, and perhaps even subvert the tremendous responsibilities that reside in the office of the Secretary of the Interior," said Clinton.

By casting a negative vote, Clinton joins her fellow New Yorker, Democratic Senator Charles Schumer in opposing Norton. Schumer and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) were the only two members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to vote against recommending Norton's confirmation and both are expected to vote no tomorrow as well.

Norton's confirmation will close one chapter on her controversial nomination but is likely to open up another one. Environmental groups who opposed her continue to maintain she won't be an adequate steward of public lands and are bracing themselves for frequent battles with her.

Meanwhile, Indian Country awaits the naming of a new Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs. A number of candidates have expressed interest in Kevin Gover's former job, including Edward Thomas, President of the Tlingit and Haida Central Council in Alaska; Lac Courte Oreilles Chairman Gaiaskibos; David Tippeconnic, a former oil executive; Jim Martin, executive director of United South and Eastern Tribes (USET); and Jana McKeag, a former National Indian Gaming Commission attorney.

The Senate yesterday confirmed Elaine Chao, a Taiwanese immigrant, to head the Department of Labor. Today, the Senate is also expected to confirm New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Get some of the Debate:
Excerpts of Senate remarks on Norton (Politics 1/30)

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