Norton set for confirmation

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Norton set for confirmation

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JANUARY 25, 2001

Clearing the way for her expected confirmation by the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Wednesday voted 18-2 to approve her nomination as Secretary of Interior.

Saying they were swayed by two days of testimony and hundreds of written responses to questions, Democrats on the Committee joined Republicans in expressing their support for the controversial Norton. But while Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon and Charles Schumer of New York were the only Democrats to vote against her, some of the remaining ones still voiced doubts about Norton's record.

"I remain critical of Gale Norton's record and share the concerns of environmental activists about her past policy positions," said freshman Maria Cantwell of Washington. "However, with the strong commitments made under oath to uphold and enforce the nation's major environmental laws, and her acceptable qualifications for the office of Secretary of Interior, I will support President Bush's nomination of Gale Norton."

Norton's assurances also led ranking Democrat Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico to vote in her favor. In his opening statement, Bingaman characterized some of Norton's past positions as "disturbing" and questioned if she was the right person for the job.

"I take her at her word," said Bingaman yesterday. "I carefully listened to and read her responses to our questions and am now prepared to vote for her nomination based on the assurances she gave us."

Critics of Norton were less convinced. The Sierra Club, one of several national environmental organizations who launched a campaign against Norton, praised Wyden and Schumer for "voting to protect America's public lands" and still hoped the full Senate would heed their warnings.

"Two days of hearings cannot negate the decades Norton's worked to undermine environmental protections," said executive director Carl Pope.

Guy Lopez, director of indigenous people's endangered species for the Center for Biological Diversity, said the Senators who approved her placed tribal interests at the bottom of their priorities. Lopez is one of several Indian leaders across the country who voiced their opposition to Norton this week, criticizing her past positions on tribal sovereignty and her current support for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

"My concern is that Indian country be aware of Norton's legal character, that they look hard at her record," said Lopez. "I hope that our tribal leaders ask some hard questions of those who are politically appointed to positions of authority above our tribal governments."

Meanwhile, Republicans on the Committee yesterday were pleased with the vote. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, who praised Norton's record on tribal matters in their state during his introductory statement, said on Wednesday he expected confirmation by a "large margin."

"After all the ridiculous rhetoric thrown at Gale for the last month, it only took two appearances before the Energy Committee to get an 18-2 vote," said Campbell. "That is evidence that an overwhelming majority of the committee members know she is an outstanding candidate for the job."

A vote could take place as early as this week. A former Attorney General for the state of Colorado, Norton would be the first woman to head the Department of Interior.

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