Sunstein One Step Closer to Confirmation

Update (9/10/09): A little after 4:00 pm, the Senate confirmed Cass Sunstein as OIRA administrator. The vote was 57-40. Click here to read OMB Watch’s statement on the confirmation.

Today, Cass Sunstein, President Obama's nominee to head the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, passed a critical test when the Senate voted to end debate on his nomination.

Sunstein's nomination process has been steeped in controversy. Progressive groups have voiced concern over his views on cost-benefit analysis, a flawed tool that agencies use when writing new rules. Some conservative interests scrutinized Sunstein's past writings and statements calling for animal rights and gun control. Republican Senators placed holds on the nomination, delaying Sunstein's confirmation for months after President Obama nominated him in April.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid filed a cloture motion to override the holds. The cloture vote passed 63-35. Now, the table is set for formal confirmation.

(Matthew Madia 09/09/09)

Comments

by mcts training (not verified) on 05/04/10

hello

There are major differences between the political system of the United States and that of most other developed democracies. These include increased power of the upper house of the legislature, a wider scope of power held by the Supreme Court, the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive, and the dominance of only two main parties.

by Anonymous (not verified) on 09/10/09

"Obama is a statist. The

"Obama is a statist. The president believes that a select group of affluent, highly educated technocrats — cosmopolitan, noble-minded, and properly progressive — supported by a phalanx of whiz-kids fresh out of blue-chip universities with little or no experience in the marketplace, can direct our lives far better than we can ourselves." This explains what's going on http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWQ2NWJkN2M3ZmJjYWQwMDZlMWQyM2FjNWI...

by Matthew Madia on 09/10/09

Not sure if I understand the

Not sure if I understand the comments here. Sunstein has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers. As you can tell by the names, both groups try to advance the interests of business. They generally oppose new efforts to expand government's role in society.

Sunstein's recent writings have focused on policies that would expand citizen access to information and incentivize people - but not require them - to make better choices. See these two links for examples: http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/green/chi-nudging-pollu...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121858695060335079.html

by John (not verified) on 09/09/09

When...when will the senate

When...when will the senate and representatives that aren't socialists wake up????? Are they really that stupid? OR are they really for the tyranny of government control???? I'm really starting to get freaked out...more and more each day!

by Politwit_Cara (not verified) on 09/09/09

Am I the crazy one? Does

Am I the crazy one? Does anyone care about not only their country but their freedom? I HATE THIS ADMINISTRATION from beginning to end.

by Anonymous (not verified) on 09/09/09

Unfortunately there is no

Unfortunately there is no place to run. Although we are loosing our freedom each year, and at a faster pace each year, the USA is still the best option we have currently. Noteworthy, a Russian politico adviser stated earlier this year, that he envisioned a soviet style break-up of the USA into 5-6 different countries within the next decade. Sorry I can not remember his name. You are not crazy, but our current "lords" are certainly following a destructive course, and I do not believe that they will be the one's to suffer much if we quit fighting. Let's not forget our anger, agree to stay informed, and pass that information on to anybody who will listen. The wellfair class that contributes nothing, and takes everything we earn has almost, but not quite got the voting numbers on us. If we can selectively vote for independent candidates with good sense, then there is still hope.

by Rick (not verified) on 09/09/09

Your absolutley right! This

Your absolutley right! This guy is a nut job of the extreme Peta group. Our country won't be the same with him in office.

by Anonymous (not verified) on 09/09/09

Another inmate has been added

Another inmate has been added to those running the asylum in DC. God help us all.

by Anonymous (not verified) on 09/09/09

oh boy, good luck. I'm from a

oh boy, good luck. I'm from a farm family. I'm worried about my relatives. Farmers since the 18th century....will they be "allowed" to raise cattle, sheep...or will they be required to feed the feral cats by law? (which they do anyway, out of the appreciation of their work in taking care of rats...oh, Cass wants the rats saved, oh, who lives, cats or rats)