Tuesday, June 26, 2007 :
Nearly six years after the Sept. 11 attacks, Whitman appeared on Capitol Hill Monday for the first time to answer questions about the EPA's statements after the collapse of the World Trade Center. Since Whitman assured New Yorkers that the air was "safe to breathe," thousands of downtown residents and workers have become sick.
Nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks, the former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Christine Todd Whitman, appeared on Capitol Hill Monday to answer questions on whether the government misled residents and workers on the safety of the air quality around Ground Zero. In the days after the Twin Towers collapsed, Whitman assured New York City residents the air was safe to breathe. Thousands of workers and residents have suffered respiratory problems and other illnesses. At least two deaths have been directly linked the toxic Ground Zero dust.
Whitman's appearance marked the first time a top federal official has publicly responded to questions on the government's handling of environmental health impact of 9/11. In a heated session, Whitman defended her record and refused to express regret for assuring residents and workers the air around Lower Manhattan was safe. She also denied what many believe drove her misleading statements -- political pressure from the White House.
Whitman also admitted she had not read the clinical reports from the Mount Sinai Medical Center's World Trade Center Worker and Volunteer Medical Screening Program. A Mount Sinai study last year found seventy percent of around ten thousand Ground Zero workers developed new or worsened respiratory problems.
Dozens of Ground Zero workers and residents were on hand for the hearing. We'll get reaction later in the broadcast, but first we turn to Whitman's testimony.
Christine Todd Whitman's opening remarks.
That was former EPA head, Christine Todd Whitman, testifying Monday before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Whitman was met with criticism from Congressmembers who insisted the public was misled on the toxic dangers of Ground Zero. The hearing was called by New York Democratic Congressmember Jerrold Nadler, whose district included the World Trade Center. In his opening remarks, Nadler had harsh words for the Bush administration's assurances to Lower Manhattan residents.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) Nadler went on to question Whitman and former Occupational Safety and Health Administration head John Henshaw. Both refused to repudiate their statement the air around Ground Zero was safe.
Rep. Nadler questioning Christine Todd Whitman and John Henshaw, the former head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some Republicans defended the Bush administration's handling of the Ground Zero cleanup. Arizona Congressmember Trent Franks and Democratic Congressmember John Conyers exchanged words over whether Democrats have taken their criticism too far.
Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) That was Republican Congressmember Trent Franks, responding to Democratic Congressmember John Conyers. Other speakers continued to press Whitman on the government's repeated assurances on the Ground Zero air. Whitman defended her remarks under questioning from Democratic Congressmember Keith Ellison of Minnesota.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) questioning Christine Todd Whitman That was former EPA head Christine Todd Whitman, questioned by Congressmember Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Whitman later got into another exchange with Democratic Congressmember William Pascrell of New Jersey.
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