This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/18/us/politics/confirmation-hearing-cabinet.html

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Price: ‘Nobody’s Interested in Pulling the Rug Out’ on Health Coverage Price: ‘Nobody’s Interested in Pulling the Rug Out’ on Health Coverage
(about 1 hour later)
■ Representative Tom Price of Georgia, the nominee for health and human services secretary, said Americans will not suddenly lose their health insurance. Democrats complained mightily about their questions being limited, but Republicans seemed to have succeeded in avoided many pitfalls during the nomination hearings on Wednesday for four of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s cabinet selections.
■ Scott Pruitt, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s selection to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said he would return the agency to “common sense” regulation. ■ Representative Tom Price of Georgia, the choice for health and human services secretary, pledged that Americans would not suddenly lose their health insurance.
■ Wilbur Ross, the nominee for commerce secretary, acknowledged that he employed an undocumented household employee. ■ Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general and Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said he would return the agency to “common sense” regulation, but Democrats disagreed.
■ Gov. Nikki Haley, nominated to be ambassador to the United Nations, says no to a Muslim registry. ■ Wilbur Ross, a billionaire investor and the selection for commerce secretary, acknowledged that he employed an undocumented household employee.
Mr. Price was quick to offer a reassurance that the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act would not leave millions of people suddenly without health insurance, echoing other Republicans who have tried to soothe anxieties over the swift march toward repeal. ■ Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina, tapped to be ambassador to the United Nations, said no to a Muslim registry.
“One of the important things that we need to convey to the American people is that nobody’s interested in pulling the rug out from under anybody,” Mr. Price said. “We believe that it’s absolutely imperative that individuals that have health coverage be able to keep health coverage and move, hopefully, to greater choices and opportunities for them to gain the kind of coverage that they want for themselves and for their families.” Mr. Price tried to offer reassurance that the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act would not leave millions of people suddenly without health insurance, but Democrats challenged him repeatedly on that point.
“I think there’s been a lot of talk about individuals losing health coverage,” Mr. Price added. “That is not our goal nor is it our desire nor is it our plan.” “One of the important things that we need to convey to the American people is that nobody’s interested in pulling the rug out from under anybody,” Mr. Price said. He added,
It remains unclear, however, what exactly Mr. Trump’s plan is to repeal and replace the health care law. Mr. Price did not shed much light on that. “I think there’s been a lot of talk about individuals losing health coverage. That is not our goal nor is it our desire nor is it our plan.”
But Mr. Price gave up few details about Mr. Trump’s plan.
Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who ran for president as a Democrat, pressed Mr. Price on whether he viewed health care as “a right.”Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an independent who ran for president as a Democrat, pressed Mr. Price on whether he viewed health care as “a right.”
Mr. Price deflected. “We’re a compassionate society,” he said.Mr. Price deflected. “We’re a compassionate society,” he said.
“No, we’re not a compassionate society,” Mr. Sanders shot back, lamenting the United States’ treatment of some of its neediest citizens.“No, we’re not a compassionate society,” Mr. Sanders shot back, lamenting the United States’ treatment of some of its neediest citizens.
Mr. Sanders also parsed Mr. Price’s remark that Americans deserved “access” to high-quality health care. “I have access to buying a $10 million home,” Mr. Sanders said. “I don’t have the money to do that.”Mr. Sanders also parsed Mr. Price’s remark that Americans deserved “access” to high-quality health care. “I have access to buying a $10 million home,” Mr. Sanders said. “I don’t have the money to do that.”
Mr. Price, who has faced intense scrutiny and criticism from Democrats over his stock trades while in Congress, found a defender in Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky.Mr. Price, who has faced intense scrutiny and criticism from Democrats over his stock trades while in Congress, found a defender in Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky.
“To question your motives, I think, is insulting,” Mr. Paul said. “To question whether you’re honest is insulting.”“To question your motives, I think, is insulting,” Mr. Paul said. “To question whether you’re honest is insulting.”
Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, was skeptical.Senator Al Franken, Democrat of Minnesota, was skeptical.
“I think that our job in this body and in Congress and in government is to avoid the appearance of conflict,” Mr. Franken said. “And boy, you have not done this.”“I think that our job in this body and in Congress and in government is to avoid the appearance of conflict,” Mr. Franken said. “And boy, you have not done this.”
Mr. Price defended himself during later questioning from Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut.Mr. Price defended himself during later questioning from Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut.
“The fact of the matter is that I have had no conversations with my broker about any political activity at all,” Mr. Price said. “Other than her congratulating me on my election.”“The fact of the matter is that I have had no conversations with my broker about any political activity at all,” Mr. Price said. “Other than her congratulating me on my election.”
Democrats have made clear their deep discontent with Mr. Price’s nomination.Democrats have made clear their deep discontent with Mr. Price’s nomination.
But one of them, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, found a silver lining with the nominee, who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon.But one of them, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, found a silver lining with the nominee, who happens to be an orthopedic surgeon.
“I have never shown a knee, my knee, to any nominee before Dr. Price came to my office,” Mr. Bennet disclosed when it was his turn at Wednesday’s hearing. “But he gave me some free medical advice and I’m grateful.”“I have never shown a knee, my knee, to any nominee before Dr. Price came to my office,” Mr. Bennet disclosed when it was his turn at Wednesday’s hearing. “But he gave me some free medical advice and I’m grateful.”
“How you doing?” Mr. Price chimed in, showing a glimpse of his bedside manner.“How you doing?” Mr. Price chimed in, showing a glimpse of his bedside manner.
“It’s terrible, but I’ll talk to you after it’s over,” Mr. Bennet said. “It’s not because of you.”“It’s terrible, but I’ll talk to you after it’s over,” Mr. Bennet said. “It’s not because of you.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, pressed Mr. Price to address Mr. Trump’s pledge that he would not cut Medicare or Medicaid.Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, pressed Mr. Price to address Mr. Trump’s pledge that he would not cut Medicare or Medicaid.
“Do you believe he was telling the truth?” she asked.“Do you believe he was telling the truth?” she asked.
“I believe so, yes,” Mr. Price said.“I believe so, yes,” Mr. Price said.
Ms. Warren went on to ask Mr. Price to guarantee that he would “safeguard” that pledge and not use his administrative power to “carry out a single dollar of cuts to Medicare or Medicaid eligibility or benefits.”Ms. Warren went on to ask Mr. Price to guarantee that he would “safeguard” that pledge and not use his administrative power to “carry out a single dollar of cuts to Medicare or Medicaid eligibility or benefits.”
Mr. Price did not provide such an assurance.Mr. Price did not provide such an assurance.
“What the question presumes is that money is the metric,” Mr. Price said. “I believe that the metric ought to be the care that the patients are receiving.” Mr. Pruitt, whose hearing attracted dozens of protesters to the Capitol, defended his long-held position that excessive government regulation was hurting business and energy development. Mr. Pruitt said his “first and primary goal” as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency would be “to return the agency to that core mission of protecting the American people through common sense and lawful regulations.”
Ms. Warren continued to press him.
“I’m asking you a question about dollars,” she said. “Yes or no?”
“What we ought to do is put forward the resources in order to take care of the patients,” Mr. Price said.
Taking a swipe at what he sees as overzealous government regulation, Mr. Pruitt said his “first and primary goal” as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency would be “to return the agency to that core mission of protecting the American people through common sense and lawful regulations.”
He said that “farmers, ranchers, landowners and small-business owners have recently felt hopeless, subject to a never-ending torrent of new regulations that only a lawyer can understand.”He said that “farmers, ranchers, landowners and small-business owners have recently felt hopeless, subject to a never-ending torrent of new regulations that only a lawyer can understand.”
“They fear the E.P.A., and that just shouldn’t be the case,” he said. “If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the E.P.A. acts lawfully, sensibly and with those hard-working Americans ever in mind.”“They fear the E.P.A., and that just shouldn’t be the case,” he said. “If confirmed, I will work tirelessly to ensure that the E.P.A. acts lawfully, sensibly and with those hard-working Americans ever in mind.”
In an exchange with Senator Thomas R. Carper of Delaware, Mr. Pruitt stated that even though he had sued the E.P.A. over its rules concerning mercury pollution from power plants, he took the issue seriously and said the government should act on it. But several senators challenged him.
Lead came up repeatedly in the hearing, and Mr. Pruitt has come under fire for his answers. In an one round of questioning, Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland, asked, “Do you believe there is any safe level of lead that can be taken into the human body, particularly a young person?
Mr. Pruitt responded: “That’s something I have not reviewed nor know about. I would be very concerned about any level of lead going into the drinking water or obviously human consumption, but I’ve not looked at the scientific research on that.”
As the writer Susan Matthews at Slate noted, the E.P.A. says there is no safe level of lead in the bloodstream, though its regulations still allow extremely small amounts of lead in plumbing systems.
Mr. Pruitt’s statement led to a strong reaction online:
There was also a forceful response among the Democratic members of the Senate in the hearing room. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois asked incredulously, “You are seeking to be the E.P.A. administrator and you’ve not looked into the issue of lead in our drinking water supply?” She called that, in the aftermath of the water crisis in Flint, Mich., “a serious oversight on your part.”
Mr. Pruitt responded that the E.P.A. had power to address problems with lead in water and that the agency should have done more in Flint. “The E.P.A. has emergency order authority” to respond to incidents of contamination, he said, “and I think the E.P.A. should step into these situations in a very meaningful way.”
In an exchange with Senator Thomas R. Carper, Democrat of Delaware, Mr. Pruitt stated that even though he had sued the E.P.A. over its rules concerning mercury pollution from power plants, he took the issue seriously and said the government should act on it.
He said, “Senator, I actually have not stated that I believe the E.P.A. should not move forward on regulating mercury.” The court challenge, he said, “was with regard to the process that was used” in the regulation. Mercury, he said, should be dealt with by the E.P.A.He said, “Senator, I actually have not stated that I believe the E.P.A. should not move forward on regulating mercury.” The court challenge, he said, “was with regard to the process that was used” in the regulation. Mercury, he said, should be dealt with by the E.P.A.
But Jeremy Symons, associate vice president for climate political affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund, noted that this statement did not line up with what Mr. Pruitt and fellow attorneys general said in their challenge to the federal mercury rule, which stated that “the record does not support E.P.A.’s findings that mercury” and other chemicals covered by the rule “pose public health hazards.”
Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, had a feisty exchange with Mr. Pruitt over climate change and ethics. Mr. Markey started out by revealing a bit of daylight between the positions of Mr. Trump and Mr. Pruitt on climate change. Mr. Markey noted that Mr. Trump has called climate change a hoax created by “the Chinese."”Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, had a feisty exchange with Mr. Pruitt over climate change and ethics. Mr. Markey started out by revealing a bit of daylight between the positions of Mr. Trump and Mr. Pruitt on climate change. Mr. Markey noted that Mr. Trump has called climate change a hoax created by “the Chinese."”
Mr. Markey asked whether Mr. Pruitt agreed with the president elect on that point.Mr. Markey asked whether Mr. Pruitt agreed with the president elect on that point.
“I do not believe that climate change is a hoax,” Mr. Pruitt replied.“I do not believe that climate change is a hoax,” Mr. Pruitt replied.
“O.K., that’s important for the president to hear,” Mr. Markey responded.“O.K., that’s important for the president to hear,” Mr. Markey responded.
Then Mr. Markey increased the pressure. He noted that Mr. Pruitt has sued the E.P.A. more than a dozen times, and asked whether he would recuse himself from E.P.A. actions that he had fought as a party to lawsuits. Mr. Pruitt said he would consider recusing himself if advised to do so by the agency’s ethics counsel.
Without a commitment to recusal, Mr. Markey argued, “it’s not just the fox guarding the henhouse — it’s the fox destroying the henhouse.” He called the issue “a fundamental conflict of interest.”
Senator Kamala Harris, Democrat of California, a new member and a former state attorney general herself, zinged Mr. Pruitt on his nomination.
She noted that of Mr. Pruitt’s 14 lawsuits, six had failed in federal court, and asked, “I hear you are a lover of baseball. What was your batting average?” Mr. Pruitt said, “It was nearly about .300, which is good for a second baseman.” But Ms. Harris shot back, “My calculation is it’s .142.”
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, like other Republican members of committee, provided generally supportive comments and questions that allowed Mr. Pruitt to state talking points without interruption.
She asked him about the “Waters of the U.S.” rule, stating that environmental groups have tried to say that people who have concerns about the rule “are somehow in favor of dirty water, which is absolutely ridiculous.”
In response, he said he rejected the notion that “if you’re pro-energy you’re anti-environment,” and added, “We have shown for decades that we can grow our economy and be a good steward of our air, land and water — we need to get back to that.”
Jonathan Levy, formerly the deputy chief of staff to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, sent The Times a note pointing out that this point of view has been expressed by President Obama, most recently in his article in the journal Science, where he noted that “evidence that economies can grow while emissions do not is emerging around the world.”
Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, the nominee for United States ambassador to the United Nations, was the subject of rather mild questioning, but that did not mean the hearing was substance-free.Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina, the nominee for United States ambassador to the United Nations, was the subject of rather mild questioning, but that did not mean the hearing was substance-free.
“I am concerned with your lack of foreign policy experience,” said Senator Ben Cardin, Democrat of Maryland and the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee. But he then praised Ms. Haley for leading the fight to take down a Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina statehouse property. This seemed to signal: We will be tough on you, but maybe not that tough. “I am concerned with your lack of foreign policy experience,” said Senator Ben Cardin, Democrat of Maryland and the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee. But he then praised Ms. Haley for leading the fight to take down a Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina statehouse property.
This seemed to signal: We will be tough on you, but maybe not that tough.
For her part, Ms. Haley pivoted to an issue of central concern to Republicans, and many Democrats: the United Nations’ relationship with Israel.For her part, Ms. Haley pivoted to an issue of central concern to Republicans, and many Democrats: the United Nations’ relationship with Israel.
“Any honest assessment also finds an institution that is often at odds with U.S. interests,” Ms. Haley said, noting the body’s 20 resolutions against Israel, more than against Syria, Iran and North Korea. “This cannot continue,” she said, also criticizing the United States’ abstention from the latest such resolution against Israel.“Any honest assessment also finds an institution that is often at odds with U.S. interests,” Ms. Haley said, noting the body’s 20 resolutions against Israel, more than against Syria, Iran and North Korea. “This cannot continue,” she said, also criticizing the United States’ abstention from the latest such resolution against Israel.
“I will never abstain when the United Nations takes any action that comes in direct conflict with the interests and values of the United States,” she said. Also, noting the United States’ contributions to the United Nations, she asked, “Are we getting what we pay for?” “I will never abstain when the United Nations takes any action that comes in direct conflict with the interests and values of the United States,” she said.
She was asked whether she agreed with sanctions on Russia. “I think that Russia has to have positive actions before we lift any sanctions on Russia.” She hedged on additional sanctions, however, as some in the Senate have sought, noting she needed to talk to the incoming Trump administration. She also was asked whether she agreed with sanctions on Russia. “I think that Russia has to have positive actions before we lift any sanctions on Russia.”
What about a Muslim registry? Nope, Ms. Haley said, not going to happen.What about a Muslim registry? Nope, Ms. Haley said, not going to happen.
Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, offered the first really rough line of questions for Ms. Haley, calling her interpretation of the Iran nuclear weapons program “completely inaccurate” and encouraging her to “read the agreement.”Senator Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, offered the first really rough line of questions for Ms. Haley, calling her interpretation of the Iran nuclear weapons program “completely inaccurate” and encouraging her to “read the agreement.”
She responded, “What we all need to remember is that a nuclear Iran is very dangerous for the entire world.”She responded, “What we all need to remember is that a nuclear Iran is very dangerous for the entire world.”
Wilbur Ross, a billionaire investor who is Mr. Trump’s pick for commerce secretary, kicked off his confirmation hearing by taking a tough stance on China. He described the country as protectionist, with high barriers to trade. Mr. Ross kicked off his confirmation hearing by taking a tough stance on China, describing the country as protectionist.
“They talk much more about free trade than they actually practice,” he said. “We would like to levelize that playing field and bring the reality closer to the rhetoric.” “They talk much more about free trade than they actually practice,” he said.
Mr. Ross’s stance echoed Mr. Trump’s own hard-line approach. The president-elect rankled many by accepting a congratulatory phone call from the president of Taiwan, challenging the long-acknowledged One China principle and heightening tensions with the country before he even takes office.Mr. Ross’s stance echoed Mr. Trump’s own hard-line approach. The president-elect rankled many by accepting a congratulatory phone call from the president of Taiwan, challenging the long-acknowledged One China principle and heightening tensions with the country before he even takes office.
In an unexpected revelation, Mr. Ross admitted he had unknowingly employed an undocumented household worker, a fact he said he discovered while preparing for his Senate confirmation process.In an unexpected revelation, Mr. Ross admitted he had unknowingly employed an undocumented household worker, a fact he said he discovered while preparing for his Senate confirmation process.
Mr. Ross said the employee had presented a Social Security card and a valid driver’s license, both bearing that individual’s name, when hired in 2009. But during a check over the past month, that individual had been unable to provide similar documentation. He fired the employee immediately, he said. Mr. Ross said the employee had presented a Social Security card and a valid driver’s license, both bearing that individual’s name, when hired in 2009. But during a check over the past month, the employee had been unable to provide similar documentation. He fired the employee immediately, he said.
“We did the best that we thought we could do in order to verify the legality of the employment, and it turned out that was incorrect,” Mr. Ross said.“We did the best that we thought we could do in order to verify the legality of the employment, and it turned out that was incorrect,” Mr. Ross said.
During that approximately seven-year period, Mr. Ross said he paid all applicable taxes without incident on that employee, using the Social Security number he had been given. During that roughly seven-year period, Mr. Ross said he paid all applicable taxes without incident on that employee, using the Social Security number he had been given.
Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the committee’s chairman, said Mr. Ross had alerted the panel immediately upon learning that an employee did not have the proper paperwork.
“I want to say, Mr. Ross, thank you for being forthcoming about this particular matter,” Mr. Thune said.
The discussion offered an extra glimpse of the life of Mr. Ross, a billionaire investor: He said he had employed “dozens” of household workers in recent years.
Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, pressed Mr. Ross to make a commitment not to silence the scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which falls under the purview of the Department of Commerce.Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, the top Democrat on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, pressed Mr. Ross to make a commitment not to silence the scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which falls under the purview of the Department of Commerce.
Mr. Ross expressed admiration for the NOAA staff, adding that the fact that multiple scientists there have Nobel Prizes is “certainly a measure of their expertise.”Mr. Ross expressed admiration for the NOAA staff, adding that the fact that multiple scientists there have Nobel Prizes is “certainly a measure of their expertise.”
“I support the dissemination of valid information to the public,” he said. “I don’t think that valid information should be concealed.”“I support the dissemination of valid information to the public,” he said. “I don’t think that valid information should be concealed.”
Do you consider data showing sea levels are on the rise “valid information,” Mr. Nelson asked. Mr. Ross demurred, saying he looked forward to the release of a new NOAA report on the Earth’s climate.Do you consider data showing sea levels are on the rise “valid information,” Mr. Nelson asked. Mr. Ross demurred, saying he looked forward to the release of a new NOAA report on the Earth’s climate.
“It’s very hard for me, Senator Nelson, to parse which part of data is what,” he said.“It’s very hard for me, Senator Nelson, to parse which part of data is what,” he said.
In fact, the findings of that report were released almost as Mr. Ross spoke: For the third year in a row, the Earth has reached its highest temperatures on record, indicating that temperatures are heading toward levels that many believe will pose a profound threat to civilization.In fact, the findings of that report were released almost as Mr. Ross spoke: For the third year in a row, the Earth has reached its highest temperatures on record, indicating that temperatures are heading toward levels that many believe will pose a profound threat to civilization.