Activists Lobby Sen. Chafee To Block EPA Air Chief In Environment Panel

On the eve of a Senate environment committee vote on William Wehrum to head EPA's air office, environmental groups are actively lobbying Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) to vote against the nomination to produce a 9-9 tie in the committee that would prevent Wehrum's nomination from getting to the floor. If environmentalists succeed, it could further undermine Wehrum's nomination, which Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) has already said would likely have to be secured with a recess appointment from President Bush because...