[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 59 (Monday, May 9, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4642-S4643]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 NOMINATION OF STEVEN JOHNSON TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL 
                           PROTECTION AGENCY

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I would like to briefly discuss my vote 
in favor of cloture on the nomination of Stephen Johnson to be the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency EPA. I have always 
believed that the President should be granted significant deference in 
selecting his

[[Page S4643]]

Cabinet and close advisers. Unlike judicial nominees, the EPA 
Administrator will serve for 4 years at the President's discretion.
  Furthermore, the President made a good choice. Stephen Johnson, who 
has served the country for 24 years as a career EPA employee, is a 
well-qualified nominee who enjoys broad public support. When his 
nomination was considered by the Senate Environment and Public Works 
Committee this spring, the committee approved his nomination by a vote 
of 17-1. He will serve the country well as Administrator of the EPA.
  I share my colleagues' concerns about the administration's refusal to 
provide the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with EPA's 
analysis of the clean air bills pending before the Senate. I am proud 
to cosponsor Senator Jeffords' Clean Power Act, and I believe that the 
administration's Clear Skies proposal is woefully inadequate. I agree 
that the information Senator Carper has requested from EPA is vitally 
important to evaluate the differing clean air regulation proposals. 
EPA's refusal to turn over its analysis indicates that its own data do 
not lend support to the Clear Skies initiative. Disclosure of 
Government data to the public is a cornerstone of our democracy, and 
this administration has continually attempted to avoid congressional 
oversight. I implore Mr. Johnson, on his first day as EPA 
Administrator, to turn over these documents to the Senator Carper and 
Senator Jeffords. To restore credibility to the agency that is supposed 
to safeguard human health and the environment, Administrator Johnson 
should release this information immediately.
  Nonetheless, I do not believe that the administration's refusal to 
provide this information should stand in the way of this qualified 
nominee leading the Nation's Environmental Protection Agency.

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