U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229
Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326
Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg R. Lawson (614) 888-4868 x 214
September 11, 2009 Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 x 226
Hunting and Gun Rights Opponent Formally Confirmed

Senators Collins and Snowe Vote for Confirmation
(Columbus) – On Wednesday, the sportsmen’s community came within five votes of stopping the nomination of Cass Sunstein to serve as the head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), otherwise known as the “Regulatory Czar.” Sunstein is an avowed anti hunter and does not believe the second amendment applies to individual gun ownership.

While a confirmation vote took place yesterday, it was a formality after the Senate voted to over-ride a hold placed on the nomination by Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson. It would have taken 40 votes to prevent the confirmation. Opponents of Sunstein were only able to earn 35. For the confirmation vote yesterday, which was in essence a formality, there would have had to be 50 no votes. Thus, the real vote regarding Sunstein took place Wednesday night. Alarmingly 22 out of 53 senators who are members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus voted in favor of Sunstein on Wednesday.

“Having 42 percent of the sportsmen’s caucus vote for an anti-hunter when we were just five votes away was a real blow,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA president and CEO. “As we have, sportsmen should take note which of their ‘friends’ voted for them and which did not.”

Republican senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe are two sportsmen’s caucus members that voted for Sunstein.

The USSA and others argued for weeks that Sunstein’s views against recreational hunting, the second amendment and on giving animals standing in court should persuade the Senate to defeat the appointment.

Dick Cabela, founder of Cabela’s, is the Chairman of the Board for the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.