Supporters Predict Quick Confirmation For Leavitt At EPA.

In hopes of quickly filling the political leadership void at the U.S. EPA, Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman James M. Inhofe likely will hold confirmation hearings during the first two weeks of September on the nomination of Republican Utah Governor Mike Leavitt to head EPA, sources said today, as of August 12, 2003. GOP sources predicted President George W. Bush's choice to replace former EPA Administrator Christie Whitman would be confirmed with little controversy. Although these sources said Democrats are expected to use Leavitt's nomination as a chance to attack the environmental policies of the administration of the U.S. President George W. Bush, at this point there does not appear to be much in the way of substantive roadblocks to his confirmation.