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Patrick C. Kennedy

From: "Senator Lugar" <senator_lugar@lugar.senate.gov>

To: <pat@leeagency.com>
Sent: Friday, September 25, 2009 11:02 AM
Subject: Responding to your message

Dear Mr. Kennedy:

Thank you for sharing with me your concerns about President Obama's nomination of Professor
Cass Sunstein for the position of Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at
the Office of Management and Budget. I appreciate having the benefit of your views.

Dr. Sunstein's nomination had been delayed due to concerns regarding his potential views on
animal agriculture operations and gun rights. In a recent letter, Dr. Sunstein addressed both issues,
stating, "If confirmed, I would not take any steps to promote litigation on behalf of animals. In
particular, federal law does not create an individual right to bring lawsuits, on behalf of animals, against
agriculture. I do not favor and would not promote such a right" and "I strongly believe that the Second
Amendment creates an individual right to possess and use guns for purposes of both hunting and self-
defense." Subsequently, a number of agricultural groups, including the American Farm Bureau, sent
Congress a letter indicating that they did not oppose Dr. Sunstein's confirmation.

I voted in favor of Dr. Sunstein's nomination as I have long believed that every President,
regardless of party, should be given latitude to fill appointments with individuals who will carry out the
Administration's policies unless they are unqualified for the position or unable to fulfill the duty.

Again, thank you for contacting me.

Sincerely,

Richard G. Lugar
United States Senator

RGL/cga

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9/25/2009