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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Senators Eye OMB's Risk Assessment Meddling
Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) sent a letter to the White House urging OMB to abandon its Proposed Risk Assessment Bulletin. Recently, the White House intimated OMB may make a renewed push on the Bulletin. Bingaman and Lieberman want to make sure the White House knows the Senate is watching.
OMB issued the Bulletin in its proposed form in January 2006. The proposal calls for a one-size-fits-all approach for agency risk assessments - a common procedure which studies the adverse effects of a wide variety of public dangers.
The criticism began flowing almost immediately. OMB Watch and Public Citizen chided the Bulletin for its inconsistency, apparent political motives, and general lack of understanding about risk assessments.
The most damning criticism came in January 2007 when the National Academy of Science rebuked OMB and called the Bulletin "fundamentally flawed." On Capitol Hill, lawmakers welcomed the NAS judgment and urged OMB to scrap the plan.
Never to be discouraged by overwhelming disapproval, the White House is considering reissuing the Bulletin with only minor changes. Susan Dudley, in an interview with BNA news service (subscription), incorrectly claimed that NAS thinks the Bulletin is a good idea and indicated she would like to move forward.
Although no formal word has come from the White House, Bingaman and Lieberman aren't taking any chances. The senators are aware of the potential implications of the Bulletin and would like to head the White House off at the pass:
Finalizing the proposed OMB guidance would impede federal agencies' ability to develop public health and environmental protections, promote public safety, encourage good business practices, improve consumer protections, and efficiently use taxpayer funds.
Read the Bingaman/Lieberman letter here.
Posted by Matt Madia
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