Just 3 Democrats Co-Sponsor Bush Clean Air Bill

President Bush’s clean air bill was introduced in the Senate Thursday with just three Democratic co-sponsors, and an Administration official blamed Majority Leader George J. Mitchell (D-Me.) for the lack of bipartisanship.

The three Democrats joined 21 Republican sponsors after the Administration conducted a recruitment drive among Democrats.

A source at the Environmental Protection Agency, speaking only on the condition that he not be named, said agency Administrator William K. Reilly became so upset with Democratic attacks on the bill that he called Mitchell to complain.

Mitchell, the chief sponsor of previous clean air legislation, which failed to pass, said on July 25 that the Bush bill “avoided virtually every tough choice” in forcing cities and industries to clean the nation’s skies.

Bush has given the legislation top priority, agreeing with environmentalists on the urgent need to clear the skies of smog, toxic chemicals and acid rain. But his decision to leave much discretion to the EPA administrator, and in some cases to industry, caused environmental groups and their supporters to call the bill too weak to protect the nation’s health.

The EPA source said Reilly told Mitchell that he “does not want to get off to a partisan start in the clean air debate.”