Chambliss Stalls Confirmation of Regulatory Czar Nominee over Stance on Animal Rights

U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) has reportedly issued a temporary hold on the confirmation of Cass Sunstein, whom President Barack Obama (D) has tapped to lead the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), over the Harvard law professor’s purported views on animal rights. A 2004 book by Sunstein apparently suggested that “animals should be permitted to bring suit, with human beings as their representatives, to prevent violations of current law,” a stance that has raised concerns with Chambliss. According to a recent article published in The Hill, “Chambliss said he would not lift his hold until he had a chance to ask Sunstein to explain his views in a meeting after the July 4 recess.” See The Hill, June 28, 2009; OMB Watch, June 30, 2009; Meatingplace.com, July 6, 2009.