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Version 4 Version 5
Rick Perry Vows to ‘Protect All of the Science’ Rick Perry Says He Is No Longer a Climate Change Denialist
(about 1 hour later)
Hearings begin this morning for President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominees to lead the Treasury and Energy Departments. Expect to hear a lot of contrition from the nominees for past comments. President-elect Donald J. Trump’s choices to lead the Treasury and Energy departments faced sharp questions over issues and ethics in their Senate confirmation hearings, but neither seemed to lose any support about Republicans.
■ Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, two-time Republican presidential candidate and one-time contestant on “Dancing With the Stars,” will say he now believes in human-caused climate change. ■ Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, two-time Republican presidential candidate and one-time contestant on “Dancing With the Stars,” said that he now believed in human-caused climate change.
■ Steven T. Mnuchin, Mr. Trump’s choice for Treasury secretary, came under fierce attack from Democrats on the Finance Committee for his initial failure to disclose $100 million in assets.■ Steven T. Mnuchin, Mr. Trump’s choice for Treasury secretary, came under fierce attack from Democrats on the Finance Committee for his initial failure to disclose $100 million in assets.
■ Senator Chuck Schumer of New York said he expected a handful for Mr. Trump’s cabinet selections to be confirmed by the Senate on Friday.
Here’s what to watch:Here’s what to watch:
This morning, Rick Perry will make his case before the Senate Energy Committee that he is qualified to run the agency he vowed to abolish when running for president in 2012. Mr. Perry made his case before the Senate Energy Committee that he was qualified to run the agency he vowed to abolish when running for president in 2012.
The former Texas governor will address his awkward history on the issue up front in his testimony. “My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking,” he says in his prepared remarks, adding, “In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.” The former Texas governor addressed his awkward history on the issue up front in his testimony.
Mr. Perry will also acknowledge that he has changed his views about the established science of climate change, which, in his 2010 book, “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington,” he called a “contrived, phony mess.” “My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking,” he said, adding, “In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.”
“I believe the climate is changing,” Mr. Perry will tell senators. “I believe some of it is naturally occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity.” Mr. Perry acknowledged that he had changed his views about the established science of climate change, which, in his 2010 book, “Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America From Washington,” he called a “contrived, phony mess.”
Perhaps more important, Mr. Perry will say how much he has learned about the department’s mission, most notably its oversight of the nation’s nuclear arsenal. “I believe the climate is changing,” Mr. Perry said. “I believe some of it is naturally occurring, but some of it is also caused by man-made activity.”
“This confirmation process has been extremely informative and beneficial for me,” Mr. Perry will say, noting his conversations with the current energy secretary, Ernest J. Moniz, a nuclear physicist who played a key role in negotiating the Iran nuclear weapons agreement. Mr. Perry, perhaps more importantly, said he had learned about the department’s mission, most notably its oversight of the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
“This confirmation process has been extremely informative and beneficial for me,” Mr. Perry said, noting his conversations with the current energy secretary, Ernest J. Moniz, a nuclear physicist who played a crucial role in negotiating the Iran nuclear weapons agreement.
In an opening volley, Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, asked Mr. Perry where he stood on an early move by the Trump transition team to determine who in the Energy Department had responsibilities related to climate change — an effort resisted by department officials and later disavowed by the incoming administration.In an opening volley, Senator Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, asked Mr. Perry where he stood on an early move by the Trump transition team to determine who in the Energy Department had responsibilities related to climate change — an effort resisted by department officials and later disavowed by the incoming administration.
Mr. Perry said that the request for information came before he was nominated, and “I didn’t approve it.”Mr. Perry said that the request for information came before he was nominated, and “I didn’t approve it.”
“I don’t approve of it,” he said. “I don’t need that information; I don’t want that information. That is not how I manage.”“I don’t approve of it,” he said. “I don’t need that information; I don’t want that information. That is not how I manage.”
When she followed up with a question about whether he would protect the department’s scientists and the science budget, he said, “I am going to protect all of the science.”When she followed up with a question about whether he would protect the department’s scientists and the science budget, he said, “I am going to protect all of the science.”
Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, asked Mr. Perry to comment on an article in The Hill describing “dramatic cuts” planned by the Trump transition team that would not only return funding for nuclear physics and advanced computing research to 2008 levels, but would also eliminate the Energy Department’s Office of Electricity, eliminate the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and scrap the Office of Fossil Energy, which works on technologies like carbon capture and storage that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Democrat of Hawaii, asked Mr. Perry to comment on an article in The Hill newspaper describing “dramatic cuts” planned by the Trump transition team that would not only return funding for nuclear physics and advanced computing research to 2008 levels, but would also eliminate the Energy Department’s Office of Electricity, its Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Fossil Energy, which works on technologies like carbon capture and storage that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In an earlier question related to the news report, Mr. Perry suggested that something might not be true just because it appears on the internet. In response to Ms. Hirono’s return to the question, he joked, “Maybe they’ll have the same experience I had and forget they said that.” The line got a laugh, but the question went unanswered. In an earlier question related to the news report, Mr. Perry had suggested that something might not be true just because it appeared on the internet. In response to Ms. Hirono’s return to the question, he joked, “Maybe they’ll have the same experience I had and forget they said that.” The line got a laugh, but the question went unanswered.
One by one, Mr. Trump’s nominees have given their views on climate change. What they have said often differs substantially from their past statements — but is also inconsistent with the current state of science. One by one, Mr. Trump’s choices have given their views on climate change. What they have said often differs substantially from their past statements — but is also inconsistent with the current state of science.
Mr. Perry’s newfound appreciation for the science of climate change echoes the statements of other nominees, including Scott Pruitt, who in his bid to head the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday: “Science tells us that the climate is changing and human activity in some manner impacts that change. The human ability to measure with precision the extent of that impact is subject to continuing debate and dialogue, as well they should be.” Mr. Perry’s newfound appreciation for the science of climate change echoes the statements of other picks for the cabinets, including Scott Pruitt, who in his bid to head the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday: “Science tells us that the climate is changing and human activity in some manner impacts that change. The human ability to measure with precision the extent of that impact is subject to continuing debate and dialogue, as well they should be.”
Similarly, Rex W. Tillerson, Mr. Trump’s nominee to become secretary of state, said that humans were one of the causes of warming, but that “we cannot predict with precision” where it is going. That is consistent with the position he has long taken as the chief executive of Exxon Mobil. Similarly, Rex W. Tillerson, Mr. Trump’s choice to become secretary of state, said that humans were one of the causes of warming, but that “we cannot predict with precision” where it is going. That is consistent with the position he has long taken as the chief executive of Exxon Mobil.
The straddling sounds more moderate, but does not reflect the state of the science of climate change — which has grown overwhelmingly conclusive on the role of humans as the prime cause — and it hedges on the need for action.The straddling sounds more moderate, but does not reflect the state of the science of climate change — which has grown overwhelmingly conclusive on the role of humans as the prime cause — and it hedges on the need for action.
For those who remember the Nixon years, this might be called a “non-denial denial”: It distances the nominees from Mr. Trump’s much-criticized statement that climate change is a Chinese-created hoax, a comment that he, too, has distanced himself from. For those who remember the Nixon years, this might be called a “nondenial denial:” It moves the nominees from Mr. Trump’s much-criticized statement that climate change was a Chinese-created hoax, a comment that he, too, distanced himself from.
Peter Frumhoff, director of science and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the nominees were engaged in “mischaracterization of scientific uncertainty to avoid accepting the urgency of reducing emissions is a dangerous distraction from addressing this serious global threat.” Peter C. Frumhoff, director of science and policy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the cabinet selections s were engaged in “mischaracterization of scientific uncertainty to avoid accepting the urgency of reducing emissions is a dangerous distraction from addressing this serious global threat.”
Senator Angus King, Jr. of Maine, pressed Mr. Perry on the question of whether cuts will be coming to the Energy department on important areas that include energy research. “Will you commit to me that you are going to be lionhearted in this endeavor to protect your agency? Because they are cutting the legs out from under you.”
Mr. Perry began to answer that he had an “interesting background” that involved defending budgets from “those in the know,” when Mr. King interrupted, saying: it is “hard to believe the people who recommended these cuts are in ‘any kind of know.’”
“I’ll allow your statement to stand,” Mr. Perry responded, and then began another of the kind of general statements that have characterized his testimony today. “My point is, I know what the Deparment of Energy should be good at. I have spent enough time making myself aware, both talking to individuals inside the agency, individuals who have been there before — ”
Mr. King cut him off again, citing the limitations on his own time for questions, and said, “I really hope you will be strong in this, and I think you’ve indicated that you will.”
Mr. Mnuchin has broad experience with banking, finance and even the movie industry, but Democrats did their best on Thursday to paint him as incompetent when it comes to running the country’s finances.Mr. Mnuchin has broad experience with banking, finance and even the movie industry, but Democrats did their best on Thursday to paint him as incompetent when it comes to running the country’s finances.
The Treasury secretary hopeful was peppered with questions about how he would keep Medicare solvent and how he would use the department’s resources to clamp down on the financing of terrorism. Mr. Mnuchin largely kept his answers general and vague on those subjects, but promised to work “diligently” to get up to speed in areas that are outside of his expertise. The pick for Treasury secretary was peppered with questions about how he would keep Medicare solvent and how he would use the department’s resources to clamp down on the financing of terrorism. Mr. Mnuchin largely kept his answers general and vague on those subjects, but promised to work “diligently” to get up to speed in areas that are outside of his expertise.
Mr. Mnuchin also struggled to answer questions about his use of tax havens as a hedge fund manager and whether he thinks such loopholes should be closed. Mr. Mnuchin also struggled to answer questions about his use of tax havens as a hedge fund manager and whether he thought such loopholes should be closed.
Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan, pointedly asked Mr. Mnuchin if he was using Cayman Island corporations to avoid taxation. He responded that he was working on behalf of his clients, in accordance with the law.Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan, pointedly asked Mr. Mnuchin if he was using Cayman Island corporations to avoid taxation. He responded that he was working on behalf of his clients, in accordance with the law.
“Let me just be clear again: I did not use a Cayman Island entity in any way to avoid paying taxes for myself,” Mr. Mnuchin said. “I would love to work with the I.R.S. to close these tax issues that make no sense.”“Let me just be clear again: I did not use a Cayman Island entity in any way to avoid paying taxes for myself,” Mr. Mnuchin said. “I would love to work with the I.R.S. to close these tax issues that make no sense.”
He added: “I would support changing the tax laws to make sure they are simpler and more effective” He added: “I would support changing the tax laws to make sure they are simpler and more effective.”
The grilling got going early. Before Mr. Mnuchin had a chance to speak, Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, tore into his business résumé and painted him as a symbol of the banking industry’s worst practices.
Before the potential Treasury secretary nominee had a chance to speak, Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, tore into his business résumé and painted him as a symbol of the banking industry’s worst practices.
“The Treasury secretary ought to be somebody who works on behalf of all Americans, including those who are still waiting for the economic recovery to show up in their communities,” Mr. Wyden said in opening remarks. “When I look at Mr. Mnuchin’s background, it’s a stretch to find evidence he’d be that kind of Treasury secretary.”“The Treasury secretary ought to be somebody who works on behalf of all Americans, including those who are still waiting for the economic recovery to show up in their communities,” Mr. Wyden said in opening remarks. “When I look at Mr. Mnuchin’s background, it’s a stretch to find evidence he’d be that kind of Treasury secretary.”
With that, Mr. Wyden thanked Mr. Mnuchin for his willingness to serve.With that, Mr. Wyden thanked Mr. Mnuchin for his willingness to serve.
Democrats continue to complain that they are not being given enough time to question cabinet nominees. Democrats continue to complain that they are not being given enough time to question cabinet choices.
President Obama’s signature health law may soon be repealed, but a group of Democratic senators is working feverishly to warn the public of the potential consequences of such a move. Mr. Schumer said that he anticipated a small handful of cabinet selections to be confirmed on Friday — just after President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration — but vowed to continue resisting several other selections of Mr. Trump indefinitely.
Senators including Elizabeth Warren, Patty Murray and Debbie Stabenow are convening a “forum to hear from Americans who would be hurt by health care repeal.” The gathering will include stories from people whose lives have been saved by the law. Mr. Schumer said that the two most likely to be confirmed were selections for national security: Gen. John F. Kelly, Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security; and James N. Mattis, his pick for secretary of Defense.
House Democratic leaders are holding a 2:30 p.m. news conference about Republican plans to “Make America Sick Again.” Mr. Schumer said Democrats also “look forward to beginning the debate” immediately for Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas, Mr. Trump’s choice to lead the C.I.A., “in hopes that he can also receive a quick vote.”
“It’s possible that some other noncontroversial nominees could be considered relatively quickly,” Mr. Schumer continued, speaking to reporters in the Capitol. “But from there, we intend to have a full and rigorous debate on the president-elect’s remaining nominees.”