Washington, D.C.--Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, released the following statement today in response to criticisms that Gov. Mike Leavitt and the White House are not following proper pre-hearing procedures:

 

“Gov. Leavitt received no official, written, pre-hearing questions from the EPW Committee. Moreover, subjecting an EPA Administrator nominee to answer pre-hearing questions is unprecedented for the EPW Committee. That has been true for both Republican and Democratic nominees. As is standard practice, every member of the committee was offered an individual meeting with the nominee.

 

Under committee practices, Gov. Leavitt will respond to all oral questions during his confirmation hearing and written questions submitted following the hearing.”