Vote Delayed on Bush Nominee; 2nd Pulls Name

The Senate Armed Services Committee on Monday ended the Bush Administration’s hopes of gaining confirmation this year of Victor Stello Jr., its nominee to head the Energy Department’s troubled nuclear weapons program.

Another Bush nominee, James S. Cason, asked the White House on Monday to withdraw his nomination for a top environmental job, three days after the Senate had sent the nomination back to the White House with a request that it not be resubmitted.

The Armed Services Committee needs more time to review newly received documentation on Stello and will schedule a new round of hearings on his nomination after Congress returns Jan. 22, said its chairman, Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.).

Congress is hoping to start its holiday recess before Thanksgiving.

There was no indication Monday whether the White House would opt to install Stello in the job temporarily for one year by making an appointment while Congress is in recess.

Stello said last week he told Energy Secretary James D. Watkins that he would prefer not to accept a temporary appointment.

Committee opposition to Stello, led by Democratic Sens. Timothy E. Wirth of Colorado and John Glenn of Ohio, is based on allegations that Stello is not sufficiently committed to nuclear safety. Stello strongly denied this and vowed to carry out Watkins’ orders to improve management of the nuclear weapons complex.

Meanwhile, Cason’s request effectively ended an eight-month battle between Bush and environmentalists over the controversial nominee for assistant secretary of agriculture for natural resources and the environment.

Cason was opposed by the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Wilderness Society, League of Conservation Voters and National Audubon Society.

The groups alleged that Cason’s record in several top Interior Department positions during the Ronald Reagan Administration showed favoritism toward private development of public lands, despite environmental concerns.