March 29, the Bush Administration cited the lack of participation from developing countries and a potential threat to the U.S. economy as reasons for backing out of the agreement. Nations who are not participating in the emissions reductions of the treaty at this time, however, represent a substantial portion of the total. Using the 1996 Congressional Review Act for the first time, Congress voted to repeal OSHA's ergonomics regulations that were to go into effect this year. The bill was signed by President Bush on March 20th. Labor Secretary Chao was quick to reaffirm her support of future ergonomics regulations.
Critics view the administration's support of ergonomics regulations in principle as a smokescreen.
It's silent over there. Carbon Dioxide Bush broke a campaign promise on March 14th, announcing he would not seek cuts from U.S. power plants of carbon dioxide, the gas that a great majority of scientists say is a key contributor to global warming. Bush said he based his decision on concerns about energy shortages and an Energy Department report which concluded that restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions would drive up electricity costs. Critics point to this action and his withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol as evidence Mr. Bush is uncommitted to the global warming issue. But he said he would look for energy supplies elsewhere, particularly natural gas, in other unprotected U.S. federal lands, the Canadian Northwest Territories and Mexico.