BUSH MAKES TWO EPA RECESS APPOINTMENTS IN FACE OF SENATE HOLDS

President Bush installed two EPA political appointees during last month's congressional recess, using a constitutional procedure allowing the White House to bypass a pending Senate hold on two of four EPA nominees whose consideration is being blocked. The appointments effectively deflate Sen. Jim Jeffords' (I-VT) leverage in a battle over EPA documents on several controversial proposals, the release of which he tried to force by putting holds on the nominees. And they are raising concerns among EPA staff that Bush...