Meet the New Head of EPA and Secretary of Labor


		AcuSafe Home Page -> February 2001 Newsletter
		Meet the New Head of EPA and Secretary of Labor

Elaine Chao, U.S. Secretary of Labor

On January 29, 2001, the U.S. Senate confirmed Elaine Chao as U.S. Labor Secretary. A Taiwanese immigrant with a background in government, business and charity work, Chao won praise from Republicans and Democrats as the personification of the "American Dream,'' winning Senate backing without a single objection.

At her confirmation hearing last week Chao promised to enforce the nation's labor laws "fully, fairly and evenly,'' while retooling the mammoth Labor Department and its job training programs for the new, Internet-oriented economy. On the issue of the $5.15 hourly minimum wage, Chao held fast to the Bush administration position that it should be raised, but that individual states should have the option of not going along with an increase so as to "not hurt employment in rural and economically depressed areas.''

Chao would not be pinned down on new ergonomics standards aimed at reducing workplace repetitive motion injuries. Implemented late in the Clinton administration, the standards sparked a firestorm of protest from business groups. Asked whether she would enforce the new regulations, Chao said she could not answer the question, noting they span hundreds of pages and have been challenged in court.

Chao, married to Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, served as deputy secretary of the Department of Transportation a decade ago in the administration of Bush's father. When she left the previous Bush administration in 1991, she briefly headed the Peace Corps, the world's largest volunteer organization, before moving on to revive the United Way of America charity in 1992 after a financial scandal.

Her career has included a stint as a banker and as a director on a number of corporate boards, including Clorox Co., Dole Food Co., HCA-Healthcare Corp. and Northwest Airlines. The White House said Chao would step down from the corporate boards to avoid any conflicts of interest.

Chao was picked by Bush on Jan. 11 after his first choice for labor secretary, conservative commentator Linda Chavez, withdrew amid staunch opposition from labor and civil rights groups and the revelation that an illegal alien had lived and worked in her home in 1991. In contrast to Chavez, Chao garnered enthusiastic support from business groups and no opposition from labor unions.

Christine Todd Whitman, EPA Administrator

On January 30, 2001, the U.S. Senate confirmed former governor of New Jersey Christine Todd Whitman as the new administrator of U.S. EPA. Whitman won unanimous Senate backing in her new post.

There was little organized opposition to Whitman's nomination, though some environmental groups criticized her for cutting New Jersey's environmental budget and reducing fines against polluters.

During her confirmation hearing, Whitman promised tough enforcement of EPA regulations that affect U.S. businesses ranging from car makers to livestock farmers. She also promised to review environmental rules imposed by the Clinton administration, specifically those aimed at curbing sooty particles spewed from diesel-powered trucks.

Ms. Whitman began her political career serving on the Somerset County Board of Freeholders. She ran a long-shot - but nearly successful - Republican challenge against Sen. Bill Bradley in 1990. She had more success against Jim Florio, becoming the first female governor of New Jersey in 1994, and was reelected in 1998. She resigned her governorship on January 31.