Be sure to check out the latest issue of our biweekly newsletter, The Watcher. Regulatory policy articles this time: Recess Appointment Makes Dudley Head of White House Regulatory Policy Office Courts Rebuke Bush Administration's Forest Actions EPA Issues another Delay in Contaminant Regulation

Sam•Fox (sam' foks') vt. 1. To install by recess appointment shortly after pretending to be cooperative by withdrawing a nomination. Yesterday, the White House withdrew the names of two controversial officials nominated for posts in the EPA. Environmentalists criticized the nominations of both William Wehrum and Alex A. Beehler, and neither nominee appeared to enjoy support among Senate Democrats.

Once every five years, EPA is required by law to revise the national standards for ground-level ozone, a.k.a. smog. As the agency prepares its revisions, another scientific body has urged EPA to tighten the standard. In a letter to EPA administrator Stephen Johnson, a group of 111 medical scientists called for tighter rules on smog, according to BNA news service (subscription). The scientists point out the current standard allows exposures which can cause serious adverse health effects.

Yesterday, President Bush recess appointed Susan Dudley to be the White House's regulatory czar. The announcement comes just days after Senate members indicated they would consider the Dudley nomination in the normal fashion. Sen. Joe Lieberman isn't happy with the president's blatant disregard for checks and balances. Lieberman chairs the Senate Homeland Security and Government Reform Committee, which was responsible for Dudley's confirmation. A spokeswoman for Lieberman, Leslie Phillips, released the following statement: The Administration's decision to recess appoint Susan Dudley shows