President Obama’s Appointment of Regulatory Czar BlockedHarvard Law Professor suggested allowing animals to sue and favors banning hunting
7/1/09 http://www.ussportsmen.org/Page.aspx?pid=2042U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R- GA) has temporarily blocked a key appointee for President Obama that would have extensive authority over federal regulations.
Harvard law professor Cass Sunstein had been tabbed by President Obama to serve as the head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). However, the numerous ardent animal rights positions he has taken over the years has raised concerns about the nomination. For example, Sunstein wrote in his 2004 book, Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions, ““I will suggest that animals should be permitted to bring suit, with human beings as their representatives, to prevent violations of current law.”
Sunstein has also indicated hostility towards hunting. He once was quoted as saying, “we might ban hunting altogether, at least if it’s sole purpose is human recreation.”
As previously reported, the OIRA is an extremely powerful federal body.
As part of the federal budget office, the OIRA has extensive authority to perform data based cost/benefit analyses of all new federal regulations. Though not allowed to issue opinions on the merits of any proposed regulations, the OIRA can block rules if it considers the supporting data not strong.
Given the power of the OIRA to block pro-hunting regulations, Sunstein’s nomination has caused alarm bells to go off for sportsmen.
Sen. Chambliss indicated that he had concerns over these positions and has refused to release his “hold” on the nomination until meeting with Sunstein after the 4th of July holiday.
