Category: Fall 2001 Newswire
Lieberman Calls for Federalization of Nuclear Security
By Mindy Finn
WASHINGTON – In an effort to prevent terrorists from using nuclear power plants as nuclear weapons, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman introduced legislation yesterday that would federalize security around at nuclear power plants.
Lieberman noted that nearly half of Connecticut’s electricity comes from nuclear power, making it one of the states most dependent on nuclear energy.
“Considering our dependence on nuclear energy, we owe it to the people of Connecticut and the rest of the nation, as well as the nuclear industry, to take every necessary step to keep this technology safe and available, “Lieberman said.
The bill would establish a federal nuclear security force within the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Members of this force, like the forthcoming federal airline security force, would face background checks, training requirements and proficiency reviews. The legislation calls for the force to be in place within 270 days of passage.
To the nuclear energy industry, however, “this proposal is a reflexive political response to a problem that does not exist,” said Joe F. Colvin, the president of the Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s Washington-based policy organization.
Colvin said he opposed the bill because the industry “is and has always been committed to ensuring the safety and security of its facilities.” Nuclear security professionals are already subject to strict hiring standards, FBI background checks and other appropriate reviews, he said.
But Rep. James Maloney, D-5th District, responding to Colvin’s statement, said, “Sounds very much like what the airlines had to say about their security systems before Sept. 11.”
Maloney said he has co-sponsored companion legislation that Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., has offered in the House and strongly supports Lieberman’s bill, which would complement his legislation to establish a civil support team in every state.
In addition to federalizing security, the proposed Nuclear Security Act, introduced by Lieberman and Sens. James Jeffords, I-Vt., Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., would use mock terrorist teams to test a facility’s preparedness in dealing with terrorism.
It would also create stockpiles of potassium iodide, which Markey, in unveiling his bill, called “the Cipro of nuclear exposure.”
Lieberman said the bill would also include a provision to treat victims of nuclear incidents by requiring the NRC to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide potassium iodide stockpiles to the people at schools, hospitals and other public buildings in close proximity to nuclear plants.
“There are thousands [of people] who meet that definition in Connecticut,” he said.
Lieberman said he has been working with the NRC for more than seven years to develop an emergency supply of potassium iodide. He serves on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the NRC and the commercial nuclear power industry.
Lieberman said he is troubled but not surprised that the industry opposes his bill. But America doesn’t want to look back and ask, “Now, how did that terrorist attack happen?” he said.
Lieberman and his co-sponsors are now going to look for Republican co-sponsors to help the chances of passage.
Safety at Nuclear Power Plants
WASHINGTON-In a move aimed at increasing security in the nation's nuclear plants, Sen. Joseph Lieberman D-CT) joined with Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and James Jeffords (I-VT) to unveil a plan Thursday to federalize all security personnel at those plants.
The legislation also outlined other security measures for America's nuclear facilities. Lieberman said new legislation to protect the country's nuclear facilities was needed because the events of Sept. 11 awakened America to a new range of terrorist threats. "While the NRC [the Nuclear Regulatory Commission] and the nation's nuclear facilities-including Millstone 2 and 3 in my home state of Connecticut-have taken some steps to improve security," Lieberman said at a press conference, "much needs to be done to reduce the vulnerabilities of our nuclear plants to terrorist strikes."
Lieberman said the legislation would fill the emergency planning and security gaps at the nuclear plants and protect "these critically important energy sources and the people who live near them."
According to the industry's Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute, 45 percent of Connecticut's electricity is derived from nuclear power, making it one of the states most dependent on this energy source.
"Considering our dependence on nuclear energy, we owe it to the people of Connecticut and the rest of the nation, as well as the nuclear industry," Lieberman said, "to take every necessary step to keep this technology safe and available."
The proposed Nuclear Security Act would federalize security personnel at nuclear facilities, require updated threat assessment plans, enhance evaluation of each facility's preparedness with the use of "mock terrorist teams" and create sufficient stockpiles of potassium iodide, the substance that protects people from some of the most serious effects of radiation poisoning.
Lieberman noted that measures to prevent terrorist attacks must also be coupled with efforts to treat victims of a nuclear incident if one should occur. The legislation contains a provision that would require the NRC to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure that schools, hospitals and other public facilities in close range of sensitive nuclear facilities have enough stockpiles of potassium iodide.
Joe F. Colvin, president and chief executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, said his institute opposed the "well-intentioned but misguided concepts of the Reid-Clinton-Lieberman bill."
In a statement, Colvin said "this proposal is a reflexive political response to a problem that does not exist, given the fact that nuclear power plants are private facilities protected by a paramilitary force of highly trained, well-armed, dedicated professionals."
Colvin said there was no reason to believe that replacing proven security forces at nuclear power plants with NRC security employees would result in security beyond the high levels that he said already exist.
"Unlike any other industry, security forces at nuclear power plants already are highly regulated by the federal government through the NRC," Colvin said. "And all of our security professionals already are subjected to strict hiring standards, comprehensive FBI background checks and other appropriate reviews before and during employment at our plants."
Edwin Lyman, scientific director of the Washington-based Nuclear Control Institute, an independent research and advocacy center specializing in problems of nuclear proliferation, disagrees with Colvin. "Facts speak for themselves,' Lyman said in a telephone interview. In only 6 of the 11 mock terrorist attacks, "personnel were unable to repel the attackers. The intruders were successful in simulating conditions to force a meltdown of the plant."
Lyman also said federalizing employees would raise disturbing questions about how the NRC would administer and regulate these employees. "The NRC is susceptible to industry pressures and does not have the expertise to monitor security," Lyman said. He added that the NRC had the authority to impose fines on companies responsible for lapses in security but had made a policy decision not to take any enforcement action.
Rep. James Maloney, D-5th District, questioned Lyman's conclusions and said that though nuclear power plants have had some problems, they have been well run. "This legislation talks about protection about the outside," Maloney said.
He said the new legislation would adequately safeguard nuclear facilities. "Connecticut is downwind from New York [where the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant is located], and Indian Point is something to be concerned about," Maloney said.
Federalizing employees is a good thing, he said, because vital security functions need to be under the jurisdiction of public officials. "It's appropriate that security be a public function," Maloney said.
In the Senate, Jeffords is the chairman, and Lieberman, Reid, and Clinton are members of, the Environment and Public Works Committee, which has jurisdiction over the NRC and the commercial nuclear power industry. In the House, Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) announced that they would also introduce companion legislation in the House Thursday.
The Nuclear Security Act would require the federalized security personnel at nuclear facilities to undergo stricter qualification standards, background steps and training requirements within 270 days. It would require the NRC to develop realistic and updated threat assessment plans within 90 days and to update them once every three years. The bill would also mandate that site-specific security plans be developed within 80 days and implemented within 180 days. Federal mock-terrorist attacks would have to be conducted once in every two years.
PACs Give Both to Smith and Sununu
WASHINGTON - Next year's Senate race between incumbent Senator Robert C. Smith, R-N.H. and challenger New Hampshire 1st District Congressman John E. Sununu, R-Bedford, is beginning to heat up as is the campaign fundraising. As of the last filing deadline, Smith had nearly twice as much money on hand as Sununu.
At the end of June, Smith had raised a total of $925,760 and Sununu had raised a total of $564,815. Sununu had $553,384 cash on hand. With more time to fundraise since his 1996 election, Smith had over $1million cash on hand.
In non-election years, candidates only have to file to the Federal Election Commission twice a year, at the end of June and December. Most recent figures were filed in July. In election years, candidates file quarterly.
Out of Sununu's total contributions, $253,699 came from political action committees; $354,504 of Smith's total contributions were from PACs. A PAC is a political committee organized by a group to raise money to help elect a candidate.
At least 30 PACs gave to both Smith and Sununu, including giants such as FleetBoston Financial Corporation, the Boeing Company, Microsoft and the United Parcel Service.
The Boeing Company spokesman Jim Fuller said Boeing "supports a large number" of candidates.
"We don't normally discuss those decisions, but they're based on the candidates that support positions Boeing believes in," said Fuller. "We support candidates of both parties based on their positions on issues that are important to the company."
Boeing donated $500 to Sununu and $2000 to Smith. Boeing made its donation to Sununu on June 25 before he formally announced his candidacy.
"We gave to Sununu for his congressional race," said Fuller. "Since he announced he was a candidate for the Senate, we have not made donations to either candidate." However, Boeing has stopped contributing to any candidates because of a "lack of funds at this time." Fuller said Boeing has not made any decisions about future contributions.
FleetBoston Financial Corporation gave $2000 to Sununu and $1000 to Smith.
Alison Gibbs, a spokesperson for Fleet, said Fleet normally gives to multiple candidates.
"This is not a formal endorsement of either or any candidate," said Gibbs. Instead, she said contributions "allows the candidate to get their message out" by using the money for their campaigns.
The Sununu contributions was made on two different dates and probably at two separate events, said Brian Grip, Fleet's vice president of Public Policy and Corporate Communications in New Hampshire.
Grip said the donations to the two candidates could not be compared because "this was made at a time when the two candidates were not running against each other." Grip said he "would not want to even speculate" on whether they would give more money to one candidate over another in the future.
"I think there are many in the PAC community who are very concerned about Republicans holding this US senate seat and obviously they want to support the candidate who will run the strongest race and be the best choice for New Hampshire," said Paul Collins, Sununu's chief of staff.
Collins said that while they do accept PAC money, the majority of money raised comes from individual contributors.
"As a general rule, most of the money we have raised from individuals has come from individuals within New Hampshire," said Collins. "We have a very strong fundraising base here in the state and those folks have been very supportive and continue to be."
"The PAC community know what's at stake in the next cycle, the 2002 cycle," said Corey Lewandowski, Smith's campaign manager. "They've been more aggressive, so they can turn around and give more to candidates."
While Lewandowski said there are some PACs that have give to both Smith and Sununu, he thinks overall are "well-versed enough that they know Smith is going to be reelected."
While the fundraising numbers will not be filed until the end of the year, Lewandowski said he has really been surprised by the "explosion of small dollars." He said he has seen a three fold increase in contributions at the grassroots level.
Steven Weiss, spokesman for the Center for Responsive Politics, said it is "very common" for PACs to give to multiple candidates, as a way to "spread" their money around, so they can have greater influence over a group of elected officials.
"PACs want a close relationship with anyone elected," he said. "They put money down on both candidates so they can have influence with both officials."
While PACs do not give money for ideological reasons, they may often give if there is a piece of legislation or a set of bills that they want passed, said Weiss.
Weiss noted that the Smith and Sununu race is a special situation since both candidates are current members of Congress. No matter who loses, a contribution to both candidates could benefit a PAC since members are guaranteed to be in office another year.
Trail Act Goes to Senate
WASHINGTON-Two Connecticut trails that pass through Southington, New Britain and Meriden are one step closer to becoming a part of the National Trails System.
The House passed a measure by voice vote on Oct. 23 that would fund a two-year feasibility study to be conducted by the U.S. Department of Interior for adding the trails to the National Trails S ystem. If the trails become a part of the National Trails System, they would receive federal funding and be protected from development. Sen. John H. Kerry (D-MA) introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S.1609) on Nov. 1 and the legislation has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The Metacomet and Monadnock Trails are part of the 700-mile network associated with the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, the oldest private, nonprofit environmental organization in the state. Volunteers of the Connecticut organization maintain the trails.
The Metacomet and Monadnock trails extend miles through western Massachusetts. The Mattabesett Trail begins in central Connecticut of the state and ends at Long Island Sound.
The bill sponsored by Rep. John Olver (D-MA) and cosponsored by five members of the Connecticut delegation including Reps. John B. Larson (D-1st), Robert R. Simmons (R-2nd), Rosa DeLauro (D-3rd), James H. Maloney (D-5th) and Nancy L. Johnson (R-6th).
"Passing a Metacomet-Mattabesett trail study represents a definitive step in preserving these precious lands from potential development," Johnson said on the House floor. "Designation as National Scenic Trails will ensure that these areas receive protection against severe environmental degradation."
The bill originally also included the Sunapee trail in western New Hampshire but co-sponsor Rep. Charles F. Bass (R-NH) withdrew sponsorship and the inclusion of the trail from the amendment. Elissa Hart, a press security for Rep. Olver, said that New Hampshire landowners has concerns over land acquisition, and Bass felt that his constituents were not prepared to support the bill.
Recalibration Firm Earns New Quality Accredication
By Sarah Sparks
WASHINGTON - Precision Instruments of North Scituate has earned the first federal Quality Assurance Accreditation in the state. The certification clears the way for the two-person tool-calibration firm to start major expansion planning, but owner Charles Greska said he started working toward the certification not out of ambition but out of sheer necessity.
The accreditation gives a federal stamp of approval to Precision's procedures for standardizing measuring tools for manufacturing such as automobiles, military equipment and surgical instruments.
Jeffrey Horlick of the National Institute for Standards and Technology, said the new accreditation, ISO-IEC 17025, became a requirement in January, and every manufacturer in controlled industries must prove that the firm that recalibrates its tools is accredited.
"We were under a lot of pressure to get it done before the next audit dates for our clients," Greska said. "TMI in Lincoln said if we weren't certified, we'd be out seven and a half weeks of work at $350 a day."
Technical Materials Inc. of Lincoln, an automotive and communications parts supplier, is Greska's biggest customer, but three other smaller accounts also asked Precision for certification.
"It's just to assure that everyone working directly or indirectly with these businesses has the right accuracy," Greska said. "Take the micrometer; it looks like a c-clamp, but it measures down to less than a thousandth of an inch. If you take one of your hairs, split it into three, then split one of those pieces into 10, that's about the size we're dealing with. The measuring tools have to be accurate."
Fees and groundwork for the two-day audit required for the accreditation cost $15,000, and maintaining it will cost another $8,000 to $10,000 a year - no small change for a company that nets only $30,000 each year. But earning the certificate this July has helped Precision solidify its accounts with 25 Rhode Island and Massachusetts companies, including Alga Plastics, Inc. of Cranston and Copper+Brass Sales of Boston.
Greska, 61, and his wife, Shirley, bought Precision 10 years ago from his former boss, Robert McNaught, who had been running the company part-time. "When I bought the business I asked him [McNaught] whether I could make a living at it, and he said no. He was making about half what we do now."
Greska bought a copy of the Rhode Island Directory of Manufacturers and went down the list, pitching to companies through calls and a brochure. Four years ago, he left a job as a quality control supervisor at Smith & Nephew to run Precision full-time. Now he hopes the new business will help the company expand, both in scope and in workers.
"Right now my wife and I are the only employees; I do all the calibration and repairs, and she does all the bookkeeping," he said, "but I'm not going to start looking for more employees until we have the business to support them." For now, Greska relies on occasional help from his son-in-law, Mathew Rackham, who lives in North Carolina.
The new accreditation may also allow Greska to expand into his second love: aviation. A pilot since age 15 and co-owner of a Hawk XP seaplane, Greska has remodeled planes in his spare time for years. The remodeling has been limited to specialty work, such as restorations for antique cloth-and-wood airplanes, but Greska hopes to convert his hobby into a new direction for his business.
"There's a lot of business in the aviation industry, with FAA-certified mechanics who need my kind of work - 15 or 20 already around here," he said, "and I know them. I learned to fly at North Central Airport in its infancy, and I was doing [mechanical] service work in exchange for my flying lessons."
Mechanics at several local aviation repair shops have told Greska that they now send their tools out of state for regular recalibration. "We could do a service for them, because a guy doesn't have to lose his tools for two weeks every time they get fixed," he said.
Greska said he doubled the company's income in 10 years, and he plans to triple Precision's business in the next five, as well as training someone to take over the business when he retires. "That would be a good step forward," he said.
The Race is On: Smith vs. Sununu
WASHINGTON - Sen. Bob Smith and First District Congressman John Sununu have two things in common: both are conservatives, and both are headed for a showdown in next year's GOP Senate primary.
But when it comes to personal style and how they put it to use on Capitol Hill, the two couldn't be further apart.
The Eagle-Tribune spent a day with both lawmakers last week, observing their working habits and talking to those who work with them.
Staff members see Sununu as a young, up-and-coming lawmaker who likes to busy himself with committee and staff meetings, dissecting the details of whatever legislation is pending at the time. He appears to be a reserved man who tries to steer clear of controversy and keep his family out of the political fray.
Smith, on the other hand, is seen as more laid back in his daily working habits, but far less reserved when it comes to diving into controversial debates. He generated a storm of controversy in 1999 when he briefly bolted from the Republican party to run as an independent for president. He raised more eyebrows a year later when he joined the debate over Elian Gonzalez, criticizing the Justice Department for ordering that the boy be returned to Cuba.
A man on the move
On a recent morning, Sununu rushed into his Congressional office at 8:35 after riding the Metro from his Crystal City, Va. apartment. The small office was quiet, the only sound coming from staffers typing at their computers.
Sununu speeded past them, coffee and paper in hand, into his office, and then a few minutes later dashed off to a Policy Committee meeting.
"He walks like a shot out of hell," said Brian Callahan, the office staff assistant.
By all accounts, Sununu, 37, is a man on the move. He can half-run from his office to the Capitol Building across the street, his slim-build slipping in and out of revolving doors and bolting up marble steps. All while talking to reporters, greeting colleagues and never losing his breath.
Sununu has also rapidly climbed the political ladder. The son of former New Hampshire governor and former White House chief of staff John H. Sununu, he was elected to the House of Representatives six years ago and in those few years has already been named to the House Appropriations Committee and the vice chair of the House Budget Committee, leaping over more senior members of his party.
"He's a very fast-paced guy," said Daren McGreevy, one of Sununu's two legislative assistants. McGreevy said Sununu easily learned Congressional procedures and rapidly became accustomed to a congressman's packed schedule.
"You give him stuff and he'll pick it up quickly," said McGreevy. Before being elected to Congress, Sununu attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard Business School and worked in small high-tech manufacturing firms. McGreevy also said Sununu is "well-respected for understanding information."
Between committee meetings, Sununu tries to squeeze in time to talk to constituents. After his policy meeting, Sununu ran down the white marble House stairs to meet with three waiting high school girls from New Hampshire, attending the National Youth Leadership conference.
"Hi, I'm John," he said as he stuck out his right hand to each the girls.
"What can I tell you about?" he asked, squinting, the bright morning sun reflecting off his glasses with thin gold frames.
"We would like to know everything," said one of the girls.
"So would I," he dryly joked. "That's the great quest."
The girls did not have any immediate questions, so Sununu talked about the status of the pending aviation security bill and the work being done on the Appropriations Committee.
After a few minutes, Sununu suggested, "Why don't we take a picture?" As they walked up the House steps, a fellow House member passed by greeting Sununu with, "Good morning, senator." Sununu modestly laughed off the joke. The picture was snapped, Sununu handed each one his business card, and then he was off.
In his office, Sununu surrounds himself with pictures of his wife, Kitty, and their three young children, an antique map of Carroll County and sports memorabilia.
By 10:30, he has jotted down notes for a teleconference with New Hampshire radio reporters. He talked with them about the status of the aviation bill in conference, the appropriation bills being written and the current situation in Afghanistan, using the same phrases he used with the students and with everyone else he will speak with that day. The entire time he paced back and forth across his office with the phone up to his left ear.
He asked for questions, listened and smiled. He rattled off a response to the only question asked without even looking at his notes.
"You got to make sure you prepare when you go in to talk with him," said legislative correspondent Dave Cuzzi. "He knows his stuff."
While Barbara Riley, Sununu's press secretary, said she would not call Sununu a workaholic, she did say he is methodical, diligent and a hard-worker.
"These characteristics have helped in building a record of effective and consistent public service that New Hampshire can be proud of," she said when asked of the upcoming campaign.
Sununu respects voters to "make choices for themselves," but he will "work diligently" to make sure any questions about his record are answered.
'A personable guy'
While Sununu was booked with meetings from the second he arrived to work, Smith arrived at his office on another morning around 7 a.m., after a 25-minute drive from his Virginia home. Smith, 60, enjoys arriving to an empty office.
"I have 2 hours to get some work done before the staff starts hounding me," New Hampshire's senior senator said from behind the huge wooden desk in his office. That morning he spent his time writing letters to constituents.
Smith grew up in New Jersey and served in the Navy before settling in New Hampshire with his wife, Mary Jo, in 1970. Smith was a high school history teacher before being elected to the House in 1984. He was elected to the Senate in 1990. Just days after abandoning his presidential run in 1999, Smith was named chairman of the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee, but lost his chairmanship when Sen. Jim Jeffords became and independent earlier this year. Smith is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
A senator's office has more staff members than a congressman's and the office is bustling. Staffers work the phones, type and chat with each other as they go about their business.
By 1:15, Smith was back in his office after spending the morning debating on the Senate floor. He sat at a long, wooden conference table with his EPW Committee staff members.
On the red wall behind Smith is a painting of a Navy boat, Navy seals hang on the wall and two miniature fighter planes on top of one of his cabinets. Pictures of his wife and three grown children are scattered around the room.
Smith was briefed on the bills to be discussed at the EPW mark-up in a few minutes, where the committee amends legislation before it is debated on the Senate floor. Smith listens to them, but also asks plenty of questions about which members support what bill.
Before heading to the mark-up, Smith also met with students from the National Youth Leaders Conference. In an instant, he switched from legislative talk into a laid-back chat with the students.
"How are you guys doing?" he asked the five students as he enters the conference room.
"What do you young people talk about in school about terrorism and anthrax?" he asked after shaking their hands. The students appeared overwhelmed by Smith's loud voice and towering presence, but immediately ask questions.
"How far will this go?" one student asked.
"It's going to be a long haul," said Smith frankly. "I don't think you should go through your life in fear." After meeting for about 10 minutes, Smith thanked the students for coming, said good-bye, and like a father called out to them to be careful.
"He's a personable guy," says Jeff Marschner, assistant to Smith's communications director. Marschner also calls Smith "outgoing." He points out that Smith is a former high school teacher and you can see signs of his previous job in the way he interacts with the students.
"He's really easy to communicate with from what I've heard compared to other members," said Brian Darling, Smith's general counsel, echoing Marschner's comments. He says Smith is "pretty straight forward."
Lisa Harrison, Smith's communications director, has worked for Smith for 17 years and has also worked on all of his campaigns. She knows how Smith's personal style translates on the campaign trail.
"The voters really like him as a person," she said. "He stands for what he believes in."
She said Smith "shoots straight." People know what he stands for and they also know he "tells it like it is." But, also, Harrison said voters know that no matter what Smith's stance is on an issue, and no matter how much voters may disagree with him, he will always listen to them.
She anticipates that the upcoming campaign will be no different than campaigns of the past.
Family and the 2002 campaign
The upcoming Senate primary will be a tight race for both candidates and already, Republican senators are split on who they will support. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., and Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., are supporting Sununu. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., and New Hampshire 2nd District Congressman Charles Bass, R-Peterborough, have refused to pick sides.
Part of the reason for the split and perhaps for Sununu's decision to run for Senate, may be Smith's brief party, which drew criticism from his Republican colleagues.
For now, both candidates are reluctant to talk about next year's campaign.
"Honestly, I haven't even had time to think about it," Smith said when asked about the campaign for next September's Senate primary. "I have a few staff who try to keep things going right now."
But now he says his job is to "help my president win this war and help my constituents get through this." He said when he goes to New Hampshire, all his constituents want to talk about it terrorist and that is his priority now.
Smith's campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, said when Smith is in Washington, he focuses on his job as a lawmaker and when he is in New Hampshire, he is in "campaign mode." But he said Smith has had one or two fundraisers in Washington in the past month.
While Smith is tight-lipped about the upcoming primary, he will answer without hesitation questions about his family.
"You may want to know background things, like what I do for enjoyment," said Smith, freely dishing out his hobbies: reading, likes football and golf and going fly fishing with his children and talking about the love for his family.
"It's tough to balance the personal and the schedule," said Smith, who has been putting off getting a cap on his tooth for the past two months.
The soft-spoken Sununu, on the other hand, is more guarded when discussing his family and non-political life. He says his family does not play much of a role in politics and that through scheduling events in advance, he has managed to strike a balance for his political career and family time.
"If the difficulty were too much for me and my family than I wouldn't do it because it wouldn't be worth it if my family ultimately couldn't have come first," he said confidently.
Sununu also said the 2002 to election is not his priority now. His focus is on completing this session of Congress. As the election approaches his campaign will not focus on what issues he and Sen. Smith differ on, but rather, what he is like as a person.
"I believe the most important thing I can do is see and meet with as many people across the state personally, look them in the eye, talk to them about my background and experience and the vision have for the future," he said.
Even though Sununu may not be vigorously campaigning yet, Paul Collins, Sununu's chief of staff, said Sununu's campaign committee is actively fundraising and the congressman attended a fundraising dinner on Nov. 6 in Washington.
Racing The Clock: A Day in the Lives of Smith and Sununu
WASHINGTON - Breakfast at the White House, appointments with constituents, racing from committee meetings to hearings, votes, floor debates· serving in Congress is a balancing act, and now two New Hampshire lawmakers have one more thing to juggle - a primary contest for a Senate seat.
Although Rep. John E. Sununu, R-NH, and Sen. Bob Smith, R-NH, are heading for a showdown next year over Smith's Senate seat, their Washington schedules offer little hint of the approaching primary.
What does emerge from their day-to-day dealings is a distinct contrast in style between the two Granite State lawmakers. Three-term Rep. Sununu, 37, is the studious and quiet, conservative "rising star," and Smith, 60, the "outgoing" and slightly maverick 17-year veteran of Washington politics.
Smith, as the Senate incumbent, says he'll win support by continuing to serve New Hampshire as he has for years. "My constituents are my boss," Smith says. "Therefore do a good job and they'll hire you again."
The one time high school history teacher describes himself as a "blue collar guy' who "fights for the little guy." He fancies himself a real life Jimmy Stewart in his role in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," which was Senator Smith's first ever campaign slogan. An autographed copy of the movie poster hangs in Smith's office.
"I think people know who I am," Smith says. "They know what I stand for." But the man once known as a stalwart conservative confounded many colleagues with his sudden interest in environmentalism, and his break from the Republican party last year after a brief run for President.
However, the wall in the reception area of Smith's Senate office is covered to the ceiling with framed, signed photos of GOP political luminaries: Smith with President George Bush, President Ronald Reagan, and Bob Dole and Smith's wife Mary Jo smiling next to first lady Barbara Bush.
Sununu has his share of high-level political contacts as well. It could be said that politics is in his blood. His father, John Sununu, was governor of New Hampshire, and chief of staff to President George Bush.
But Sununu says it is his MIT engineering degree and Harvard business school background that sets him apart from his House colleagues, and helps him serve his small business driven state. The books and collectibles stacked on tables in his office are a tribute to the congressman's background: "A Budget For America," "A Taxpayers Guide to Federal Spending." And a little NASA model spaceship.
Fellow New Hampshire Republican Rep. Charlie Bass says Sununu is "intelligent, awfully academic. It's part of his personality."
Smith's forte, on the other hand, is his flair for getting along with people, according to Bass. He describes Smith as "very easygoing" and "good to work with because he is very easy to communicate with". Smith's "the kind of guy everybody likes."
Sununu rides into work from his suburban apartment in Crystal City on the Metro, D.C.'s public subway system. On a recent morning he was called to the White House for a breakfast meeting but his office staff is already hard at work. Three staffers sit in the foyer typing diligently.
"We start around 8:30, could be earlier depending on what's going on" his press secretary Barbara Riley says. The main staff office room is jammed with desks, congressional records, printers and copy machines. Riley's first order of business every morning is to compile news clippings her boss should see.
"He's a very well prepared congressman," says Bass, adding that the best word to describe Sununu is "thorough."
Sununu says a big challenge is to "simply move effectively from issue to issue, to remain focused, and to make sure you have the most current information possible."
Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass, who entered Congress at the same time as Sununu, agrees with Bass that Sununu is a hard worker. The liberal Democrat added that even though Sununu is a conservative Republican, he's someone Delahunt can trust.
"He has an ability to see the humorous side of what we do, which is important." Delahunt adds. "He has his own brand of humor. He's dry."
Sununu can be notably sarcastic. "Nice Sambas," he says, with a mock stern look at a young photojournalist wearing sneakers to his office. "You heading to soccer practice after this?"
But Delahunt says he has "no doubt" Sununu would make a promising Senator. Sununu has garnered quite a bit of support including from some of Smith's Senate colleagues. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-AL, and Sen. Kit Bond, R-MO, have endorsed Sununu and recently held a fundraiser for him. But the other members of the New Hampshire delegation, Bass and Sen. Judd Gregg, are so far staying neutral.
Smith drives in to the Capitol in the morning, usually leaving his Virginia home at 6:30 to beat the traffic. "Sitting in traffic is unproductive," Smith says. He'd rather use his morning hours to respond to constituents and to those who have expressed praise for him in letters to the editor.
"I probably write two or three hundred handwritten notes a week," Smith says. On this particular Thursday morning he pens between 30 and 40 before his formal day begins.
"Everyone in the office helps me plan my schedule," Smith says. "When you come in, you know some things are going to happen. You don't know other things. I didn't even know we were going to offer the amendment today."
Smith has spent most of the morning pushing an amendment on the Senate floor, waving his arms and shaking a finger at his colleagues, as he urged them to support his amendment allowing courts to more easily deport aliens suspected of terrorist activities.
He returns to his office around noon to meet with staff members and get briefed about what's up for that afternoon. There's another vote scheduled, and Smith says the preliminary staff briefings are important to "make sure there are no surprises."
Smith says that it's difficult not to schedule every five minutes of his life. "You have to have time to go to the bathroom, or take a look at the news of the day," he laughs.
"It's tough to deal with a lot of the personal stuff. I've been putting off for two months getting a cap on my tooth· I can't get time to go to the dentist."
"When I leave the Senate," Smith says, "I'm not going to have a schedule. I can tell you that!"
Smith at least has a senior senator's advantage of having a secret hideaway office in the Capitol building. Smith said another getaway is the Senate reading room, where no one else but a student page with a message can enter.
But there is very little time in Smith's day to slip away. In between meetings and votes there are always constituents to greet, like a group of high school students from New Hampshire who are in Washington to participate in the National Youth and Leader Conference.
Smith's past as a teacher is obvious. "So, what's on your minds," he asks gently. Even when a bell goes off calling him to vote, Smith doesn't rush their questions about war in Afghanistan.
Sununu has a more businesslike style. "Sununu is, number one, very smart. Number two, a good example of a workaholic. And three, has the level of motivation to cut through the maze of the legislative process and understand what's going on," says Rep. Van Hilleary, R-Tenn, who works with Sununu on the Budget Committee.
"It's no accident that he is vice chairman of the budget committee," says Hilleary, adding that if Sununu goes on to become Senator, he would be missed in the House.
"I think he's a rising star," Hilleary concludes. "He's what we call in the South, the cream rising to the top."
Next for Sununu is a working lunch with Scott Douglas, deputy chief of staff and White House Liaison for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In between bites, they discuss funding for relief efforts at the World Trade Center.
After lunch it's a few interviews with local New Hampshire television stations. After the ritual small talk with the cameraman about last night's Yankee game, and quickie interviews for Channel 9 and WNDS, Sununu is back in his office to finish up some telephone calls to radio stations.
He can't sit still for long. Waiting for the radio stations to get ready, Sununu organizes and then reorganizes his wallet, and straightens the ink blotter and papers already in right angles on his desk.
Although his responses are prepared, Sununu answers without referring to any written notes, all the while pacing, gesturing and glancing into a mirror, as if delivering a speech to himself. Riley sits nearby, carefully recording his responses to keep everything in check.
Smith also has late afternoon press calls to make. Sitting in his dark, rolling chair, Smith puts the call on speakerphone. The reporters don't understand his amendment. Wouldn't deporting aliens simply suspected of terrorist activity violate their rights to due process?
"No!" Smith's tone grows frustrated, as he reiterates points from his press release. He glances at his press secretary Eryn Witcher. She nods reassuringly as he rereads and explains what his amendment does until the reporters seem satisfied.
Next for Smith is a meeting of the Environment and Public Works Committee which he used to chair until the Democrats took back control of the Senate last spring. On the way from his office he greets people with a smile, wave, sometimes a pat on the back.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is on the EPW committee with Smith, pulls the senator aside after the meeting. The liberal Democrat has nothing but praise for Smith this afternoon. "Thank you so much," she nods vehemently. She says she couldn't have passed her amendment without him.
Smith says he likes to think of himself as a fighter. This is how he passes amendments. This is how he will defend his Senate seat. "If you don't fight for something and you don't earn it, then it's not worth it. That's just the way I am."
But nothing, Smith says, is worth more than his family. "All the criticism in the world doesn't matter," as long as he's got their approval, he says.
Smith is heading home this Thursday evening to be with his wife Mary Jo in New Hampshire. "Right now we have a kind of split existence," Smith says. She and the family used to live in Virginia with him before their three children grew up. But now she's living in New Hampshire, "working all day long on behalf of the campaign."
Sununu and his family also live apart during the week. Sununu flies home to see his wife Kitty and three young children most weekends. He says his young family has no thoughts of moving to Washington if he becomes Senator.
"Travel is part of the job," Sununu says. "You learn to take advantage of the more quiet times of the year. Thanksgiving. Christmas."
Despite their differences in style, the work Smith and Sununu are doing is quite similar, as are their political philosophies. But for the next year they will both attempt to convince the voters of New Hampshire that they are the best man to take on Governor Jeanne Shaheen in the November election.
Rep. John Sununu: A Day In The Life
WASHINGTON - It should come as no surprise that Rep. John E. Sununu is a busy man. The First District GOP congressman and Salem native is heading into the last half of his third term in the House of Representatives, and will be betting his seat on another come September. In 2002, he will either be the state's Republican nominee to challenge Gov. Jeanne Shaheen for a seat in the U.S. Senate or he'll be out of a job.
Since Sununu's announcement last month that he would be challenging Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH) in the GOP primary, the soft-spoken, down-to-business representative seems he has just been trying to handle the race and his congressional duties one day at a time.
A few minutes before nine on a recent weekday morning, Sununu bolts from his office in the Canon House Office building. His tall, slim frame speeds down the hall, out a side door and into the bright November sun, searing as it reflects off the white marble covering almost everything on the Hill. His long, easy strides hide his swift pace as he makes his way toward a Republican policy committee meeting in the House.
As staff assistant Brian Callahan trails several steps behind Sununu's push toward the Capitol, he says the Congressman "can make it from the office to the House floor for a vote in three minutes."
"He keeps you in shape," he says. "He walks like a shot out of hell."
As he rushes up the steps into the building, two men in suits pass him on their way down.
"Good morning, Senator," one says, joking about Sununu's political aspirations.
"Yah," Sununu returns with a modest smile and a small, almost embarrassed laugh.
He turns the corner toward the meeting room and ribs a staffer for Rep. Chris Cox (R-CA), the committee's chairman, asking if his boss had arrived yet. At the last meeting, Cox was stuck in traffic and Sununu had to chair the committee.
"I'm sure he'll be on time today," Sununu says as he slides in the door.
An hour later, Sununu is ready for his next appointment. At 10:00 sharp he climbs down the House stairs toward three New Hampshire high school girls waiting to meet their congressman. "Hi guys, I'm John," he says, reaching for the hands of each student, in Washington for the National Youth Leaders Conference.
"Kat? I have a sister Kat; she goes by that," he says as Katherine Bagley of Central High introduces herself.
"What can I tell you?" he asks, one leg propped up on a higher step.
"We'd love to know everything," Louisa Samuels of Dover's Oyster River High School answers.
"So would I, that's the great quest," he quips back.
At 10:30 he's back in his office to handle a conference call with radio journalists from the district. As he offers his opinions on the state of affairs in Afghanistan, his body moves in an unconscious choreography, standing all the while behind his desk. He steps from side to side, taking three steps each way before coming back to the other side. His right arm is busy gesturing. It sways before him, slicing the air, and sways back, next moving to rest, hand in jacket pocket, and from there up, to scratch his forehead quickly before falling to thump his fingers on the great, brown desk. Up again goes the hand, pinned to his hip for seconds before it dives down again to shuffle through some papers set before him. His chair has rolled behind him, useless now that he's addressing, connecting.
Each move seems automatic; each instinctively timed to emphasize certain points in his statement. No time is to be wasted. Every part of him is always going, always working. Even as his mind is engaged, his body is on autopilot, and it's still hustling.
His ambition shows through in his accomplishments. In less than six years, Sununu, 37, has leapt over his more seasoned peers in the House to win a seat on the Appropriations Committee and become vice-chair of the Budget Committee.
With the morning press call finished, he stands behind his desk, organizing papers, ready to think through and consider the issues before him: aviation security, defense, labor, health. All around him are clues to some of the congressman's inspirations, motivations and support.
Paintings of Lincoln and Jefferson hang high on the wall in his office over two wooden cabinets closed in by glass doors and placed behind his desk. Family photographs in gold and silver frames and ten baseballs sit tucked away on the cabinets' shelves, the latter an homage to Sununu's love of baseball and the Red Sox. He travels to Fenway for weekend games when he is home in Bedford, where he usually is each Thursday night through Monday.
But now with the Congress working hard to finish business before the end of the year, there are rumors that Congress may be in session on an occasional Saturday or at least need to stay in town to work over a weekend. Sununu will probably be shuttling in on the metro from his Crystal City, VA, apartment more than usual these days.
A giant, framed photograph of Ted Williams at bat sits on one wall facing his desk. "Thanks for being interested in public service, Best Always, Ted Williams" is scrawled across the black and white photo in thick pen. This message from the great slugger is one Sununu holds dear.
"During his most productive years as a baseball player he responded to his country's needs by going off to fly planes as a naval aviator and it's a commitment to the country and a personal sacrifice that I think is... I'm not even going to speak of comparisons," says Sununu, calling Williams someone he admires.
On a table behind his desk and beneath Sununu's one long, rectangular office window sit a couple of model cars, one a maroon VW Bug, and more family photos. Propped against one frame is a child's drawing, something like an outdoor scene, sketched in black pen on white office paper, probably by one of his three young children.
Around 11:30, Sununu takes time to talk about himself, his work and his quest for the Senate. He moves from behind his desk to a chair in the center of his office. Taking off his thinly rimmed glasses, he rubs his eyes and the bridge of his nose in thought.
"Spare time?" he asks, sighing, considering. "Knowing what's in the news, for me, is part of the job, so I'll be consuming information throughout the day. Depending on the schedule and the time or where I am, more often if I'm at home, I'll run."
"I just finished reading the fourth Harry Potter book over the last two or three weeks," Sununu continues. "I've been reading the fourth book in parallel with the David McCullough biography of John Adams. I think as much as any of the founding fathers he had a clear vision for what needed to be done, not just to achieve independence but make the transition from a group of independent colonies to a true nation."
Sununu says he decided to take on Bob Smith, who has served in the Senate since 1990, because he feels he can "make a difference for the state of New Hampshire."
"The reason to run, I believe, is because you have the background and experience to represent the state more effectively than other candidates," he says. "That's the question that you have to ask and answer no matter what seat you're running for."
Son of John H. Sununu, a former Granite State governor and former Chief of Staff to President George H. Bush, Sununu believes creating relationships in the House is key.
"I think one of the most important pieces of education for any legislator is how to work effectively with your peers," Sununu says. "If you want to be respected as a legislator you need to be respected by your peers."
Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) have both endorsed Sununu, and former Sen. Warren Rudman (R-NH), former White House Counsel C. Boyden Gray and Ed Rogers, a GOP lobbyist, have also thrown their support to the Congressman. But Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH) are staying neutral.
Dave Cuzzi, one of the Congressman's legislative assistants on the office staff of seven, says Sununu is professionally "thoughtful" and personally "reserved a bit but at the same time he's not afraid to have a light moment. The one thing I've noticed is he's always been kind of down to earth."
"He's a great boss," says Cuzzi. "He's fair. You have to make sure you're prepared before you go in there because he's a really smart guy and he's going to ask a lot of questions."
Sununu, who earned a bachelor's and master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as an MBA from Harvard's graduate school of business, says he incorporates the regimen he learned in that study into his political career.
"Having a technical background is somewhat unique as a member of Congress but I believe it's of great value in dealing with a range of issues that have technical and scientific roots like hazardous waste clean up, conservation issues," Sununu says.
Sununu says serving in Congress is a balancing act, and now he's added another campaign against an incumbent from his home state, but he says he tries to keep it all in perspective.
"If the difficulty were too much for me and my family then it wouldn't be worth it for me if my family ultimately couldn't come first," Sununu says. "The key for me has been to try to look as far in advance as possible at the schedule, where I'm going to be and when, to set aside time for my family, for my kids. Because of the current security conditions, I've been fortunate to be at my son's soccer games, be at his practices, and spend more time with my family over the last couple months."
Just before 1:00, Sununu emerges from his office speaking with Tom Thomson, of Orford, and walks with his constituent to the elevator to see him off. From there he spins over to a pillared, circular hallway a few feet away, hollow in the center with a view to the building's first floor. As he gets in line to speak about Afghanistan for a few minutes in a videotaped satellite feed back to WMUR's Channel 9 news, he sees his counterpart, Rep. Charles Bass (R-NH), also waiting his turn.
"There's Congressman Bass; he's famous," Sununu says quietly in a good-natured mock, and gestures to Bass. His usual reserved smile, the trademark of his dry wit, steals across his face as Bass comes over to greet Sununu and toss a few jibes back.
It is this personality, combined with his record and experience in the House, that Sununu says will play a major role in the upcoming year as he heads for the primary and takes his chances at winning a senate seat.
"That's the focus, that's the key," says Sununu. "I believe the most important thing I can do is see and meet with as many people across the state personally. Look at them in the eye, talk to them about my background and experience, the vision I have for the future, my understanding of New Hampshire and what makes it special, and how I will carry those skills and that understanding to represent the state in Washington."
Lieberman Lectures on Charitable Choice to Jewish Convention
By Mindy Finn
WASHINGTON - Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., said Tuesday that though he shares President Bush's desire that more federal funds go to faith-based charities, he wants to be sure faith-based groups don't use their increased strength as an excuse for religious discrimination.
America should have the opportunity to rely on faith-based organizations for "repairing serious holes in our social fabric," Lieberman told more than 250 delegates to this year's General Assembly of United Jewish Communities. But, he added, we need "an agreement that will strike the right balance of inclusion and to harness the best forces of faith in our public life without infringing on the First Amendment or excluding those with different beliefs."
United Jewish Communities represents 189 Jewish federations, 400 independent communities and 700,000 people across North America.
"Al Gore and I both spoke out during last year's national campaign for expanding the place of faith-based organizations at the public policy table in a way that is consistent with the First Amendment," Lieberman, who was Gore's running mate last year, told the delegates.
The House has already approved a bill that would provide federal money to religious organizations that offer social services. It would also prohibit discrimination and require that the government funds not be used to advocate religious beliefs. But Lieberman said that the House bill it does not provide sufficient funds to charitable religious organizations.
Lieberman said he encourages swift approval of a Senate version of the bill, which would allow for Americans to take tax deductions for their donations to faith-based charity organizations even if they don't itemize on their tax returns. When Lieberman joined Bush and Senate colleague Rick Santorum, R-Pa., at a White House meeting last July, he said he "got the impression that President was open to finding a way to do just that."
Unfortunately, Lieberman said, Sept. 11 altered the original schedule for considering the bill, but the need is even more immediate now because "non-profits are being hit hard with everyone giving to the relief effort and· the demand for service is shooting up."
He said he thought it was important to express his support for the President's proposal to use faith-based charities as vehicles for the government's social services to show that it is a bipartisan effort. He said Bush has expressed a desire to get the legislation passed before the end of the year after an economic stimulus package is approved. But Lieberman said he would like to see Congress approve the faith-based charities bill regardless of what it does on the economic legislation, declaring that the charities bill would itself stimulate the economy.
But Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, speaking at the same forum, said he opposed not only the House bill but also any legislation he that expands government funds for faith-based organizations that discriminate against those of other faiths. Nadler said that some people who were invited to the White House conference on faith-based charity recently want to use government money to advance not just charity but sectarian views as well. He said he could foresee fights between religious groups over who gets what portion of federal funds.
As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Nadler said, he has witnessed the "fierce" fights over how to divide the highway money. "Can you imagine the annual political fights between the Baptists, the Episcopalians, the Jews and the Catholics over which religious groups should receive which share of the available federal social service funding?" he asked.
"It is no business of government to decide which is a good or worthy religion or which is not, but if you are giving out public money, those are the kinds of controversial decisions you are going to have to make," he added.
Nadler said that while the intent may be good, "the proposal that passed the House will serve to change the rules of the game and to undermine our fundamental liberties guaranteed to all of us in the Constitution."
"The real objective," he added, "is to eliminate to a very large extent the anti-discrimination laws and the provisions against sectarian activities with federal funds."
Nadler asked, "Do we need legislation that would exempt all these so-called faith-based programs from our civil rights laws?"
Lieberman, however, contended that "faith can be a great and enduring source of values-a powerful inspiration to live a good life, and we know many faith-based and charitable and service organizations are capitalizing on this potential and helping to rekindle and transform live."
Anthrax Found in Sen. Dodd’s Office
WASHINGTON - Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd confirmed Tuesday that his Senate office in the Russell Senate Office Building had been contaminated with traces of anthrax but said the Capitol Physician had assured him that the anthrax posed no health risks for his staff. Anthrax spores were also found in the office of Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). Both offices were to be shut down at the close of business Tuesday for further testing and decontamination.
"I've been informed by the Sergeant at Arms that very small, trace amounts of anthrax have been detected in my mail room," Dodd said in a statement. "I understand that after additional testing, the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] will conduct a thorough cleaning and decontamination," he added.
In Connecticut, 94-year-old Ottilie Lundgren, a widower and Oxford resident is suspected of having inhalation anthrax. Lundgen was admitted to Griffin Hospital last Wednesday with symptoms of pneumonia, according to Governor John Rowland.
Rowland said three tests done at both the hospital in Derby and in state health labs indicated that the lady had anthrax and said that Clinical samples were being flown to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to ascertain further results.
Frederick Pommer, a fire marshal in Oxford, said he had served on the Board of Education with Lundgren's husband in the late 1950's and that her husband "died a couple of years ago." He said he hadn't seen Lundgren in many years and said she lived on Edgewood Road towards Seymour.
Back in the capitol, Dodd said the trace spores were found during testing of the Russell Building last weekend. Officials say anthrax was found in the Russell office mailroom that delivers letters to Dodd's office. Both the Russell and Dirksen buildings were shut down over the weekend for extensive environmental testing after a letter believed to contain anthrax addressed to Senator Patrick Leahy was found late Friday at a Virginia facility where congressional mail was taken after the first anthrax letter was discovered almost a month ago.
"My office has been briefed on this matter, and has been told that most likely the source comes from cross-contamination from another letter in the postal system," Dodd said.
Dodd said his staff would not need medical treatment as a result of the contamination because the amounts of anthrax were low. "Thankfully, the Capitol Physician has determined that due to a variety of factors there is no health risk to my staff or visitors to my office, and for that I'm grateful," Dodd said in a statement.
Officials suspect the anthrax got to the two Senate offices through contact with anthrax-bearing letters mailed to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VE) or Senate Majority Leader Tom Dachle (D-SD). The FBI announced last week that it was believed the Leahy letter was sent by the same person who mailed an anthrax-tainted letter to Daschle. Both were postmarked Oct. 9 in Trenton, N.J.
Sen. Joseph Lieberman's office is located in the Hart building, which was shut down after the letter was discovered in Senator Daschle's office there. EPA officials say it will take two to three more weeks to decontaminate the Hart building and some Senate aides believe the building may not reopen until next year.
