“Regulatory Czar” Nominated Despite Opposition from Sportsmen
Washington, DC –-(AmmoLand.com)- Cass Sunstein, a White House nominee who has drawn serious fire from the right, cleared the Senate on a mostly partisan vote on Sept. 10.
Sunstein was confirmed as director of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, a largely bureaucratic position in which he’ll oversee the effectiveness of federal regulations. But his nomination has roiled conservatives who have taken aim at Sunstein for some of his more liberal positions on animal rights. More than a dozen outdoor groups also went on record opposing the nomination and made their opinions known to the entire Senate.
The vote was 57-40, with only five Republicans backing the nomination. Four Democrats also voted against Sunstein. Conservatives who opposed him were particularly incensed over statements he made advocating greater regulation of hunting rights. He has been quoted as saying, “We might ban hunting altogether, at least if its sole purpose is human recreation.” And he advocates offering animals the right to sue humans.
Sunstein’s controversial views on animal rights, hunting, and agriculture caused Republican Senators Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and John Cornyn of Texas to place temporary “holds” on his nomination. This prevented confirmation hearings before the August recess.
Outdoor groups that publicly opposed Sunstein were Conservation Force, Dallas Safari Club, Fur Takers of America, Houston Safari Club, Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America, Mule Deer Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Trappers’ Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pope and Young Club, Shikar Safari Club, Texas Wildlife Association, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, Whitetails Unlimited, Inc., and the Wild Sheep Foundation.