Lugar Sunstein Response

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Patrick C. Kennedy From: To: Sent: Subject:

"Senator Lugar" <[email protected]> <[email protected]> Friday, September 25, 2009 11:02 AM Responding to your message

Dear Mr. Kennedy: Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about President Obama's nomination of Professor Cass Sunstein for the position of Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget. I appreciate having the benefit of your views. Dr. Sunstein's nomination had been delayed due to concerns regarding his potential views on animal agriculture operations and gun rights. In a recent letter, Dr. Sunstein addressed both issues, stating, "If confirmed, I would not take any steps to promote litigation on behalf of animals. In particular, federal law does not create an individual right to bring lawsuits, on behalf of animals, against agriculture. I do not favor and would not promote such a right" and "I strongly believe that the Second Amendment creates an individual right to possess and use guns for purposes of both hunting and selfdefense." Subsequently, a number of agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau, sent Congress a letter indicating that they did not oppose Dr. Sunstein's confirmation. I voted in favor of Dr. Sunstein's nomination as I have long believed that every President, regardless of party, should be given latitude to fill appointments with individuals who will carry out the Administration's policies unless they are unqualified for the position or unable to fulfill the duty. Again, thank you for contacting me. Sincerely, Richard G. Lugar United States Senator RGL/cga Do you receive The Lugar Letter? Send an email to [email protected] to stay current with Senator Lugar's activities. The Lugar Letter archives are available at http://lugar.senate.gov/newsletter/

9/25/2009