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JANUARY 19, 2001

The Senate confirmation hearings of Gale Norton for Secretary of Interior began on Thursday without much of the acrimony which has characterized the debate over John Ashcroft, another of President-elect George W. Bush's controversial Cabinet nominees.

But partisan politics quickly became evident as members of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources took turns addressing the former Attorney General of Colorado who appears poised to be the first woman to run the Department of Interior.

Democrat Chairman Jeff Bingaman (N.Mex), who will yield the title to a Republican once President-elect George W. Bush is inaugurated, began the hearing by raising issues he found "disturbing" in Norton's 20-year record as a Western politician. He immediately addressed concerns raised by many of Norton's detractors who say she favors individuals, states, and the industry over proper stewardship of the nation's natural resources.

Other Democratic members, including Ron Wyden (Ore.), Byron Dorgan (N.D.), Bob Graham (Fla.) and freshman Maria Cantwell (Wash.), also took the opportunity to quiz Norton on her commitment to fighting polluters, protecting endangered species, enforcing environmental law, and upholding existing land designations.

In response, Norton quickly positioned herself as a consensus builder and said she would seek cooperation and consultation before making decisions. Calling herself a "compassionate conservative and a passionate conservationist," she promised to preserve "America's most precious places. . . while respecting constitutional rights and nurturing diverse traditions and cultures."

Even without her assurances, though, Republican members emerged as her chief supporters and used the hearing not to grill Norton on her views, but to air their issues in advance of working with her. Fellow Coloradan Ben Nighthorse Campbell set the tone for other GOPs to follow, showering her with accolades in his introductory statement.

Campbell also submitted for the record statements from the Ute Mountain Ute and the Southern Ute Tribes in support of Norton. Campbell praised her work on "water rights settlements, environmental regulation, taxation, and a whole bunch of other complex issues" affecting the tribes. He also said Norton is "very knowledgeable in Indian law."

Other Republicans used the hearing to criticize President Bill Clinton and outgoing Secretary Bruce Babbitt for some of their decisions. Democratic members also raised the issue, but Norton for the most part deferred questions on what initiatives she would change pending further review.

She did, however, support a continued moratorium on oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf in Florida, an issue raised by Democrat Bob Graham.

Norton also promised to do what she could to resolve the ongoing problems affecting proper management of Indian trust fund accounts. Court officials assigned to the case and the General Accounting Office this week continued to point out challenges and risks facing the Department of Interior.

"It's alarming to hear that we have such large amounts of money that ought to belong to the Indian people themselves that has become lost somewhere in the bureaucracy of the Department of the Interior," said Norton.

Hearings resume today for futher consideration of Norton. Members of the committee who didn't speak yesterday include Native Hawaiian sovereignty advocate Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), tribal supporter Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), and Ashcroft doubter Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

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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