Vasquez Gets Key Support

A key Senate committee approved former Orange County Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez’s nomination to lead the Peace Corps on Wednesday, turning aside critics’ contentions that the Southern California Edison executive is unsuited to run the international humanitarian agency.

Vasquez’s nomination was approved by a 14-4 roll call vote, with committee member Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) voting to confirm. One committee member was absent.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate, which could act before it adjourns for its holiday break, officials said. Given the committee’s support, it was unlikely the nomination would be derailed.

The appointment of Vasquez, a high-profile Republican before Orange County’s 1994 slide into bankruptcy, has been criticized by former Peace Corps volunteers upset at what they view as Vasquez’s minimal management experience and his lack of expertise in foreign relations and humanitarian programs.

The Peace Corps, generally viewed as one of the U.S. government’s most successful programs, fields about 7,300 volunteers in more than 70 countries under a $275-million annual budget.

Former volunteers have gone on to play prominent roles in government, business and philanthropic organizations, including Donna Shalala, former secretary of Health and Human Services.

Vasquez picked up key support Wednesday from another Peace Corps alumnus, committee member Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who called Vasquez’s nomination “troublesome.”

But Dodd said he would overlook his reservations in light of support from Boxer and other California politicians.

“I’m willing to trust the judgment of my colleagues from California,” he said.

Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.) questioned Vasquez’s leadership abilities and said that in light of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Peace Corps needs a director with “reliability and talent.”

Sarbanes cited a critical Securities and Exchange Commission report that faulted the Orange County Board of Supervisors--while Vasquez was a member--for the events that led to the county’s 1994 bankruptcy filing. Vasquez has disagreed with the findings.