Clinton Names Civil Rights Chief

Defiantly declaring that "his views are my views," President Clinton Monday appointed Bill Lann Lee as acting assistant attorney general for civil rights.

"I was elected president and I didn't make any secret of my position on affirmative action," Clinton said.

However, future skirmishes between the White House and Senate Republicans may be on the horizon, as Clinton vowed to resubmit Lee's name "early next year" for confirmation.

Clinton said he did not believe Lee would exercise less influence in his "acting" role. "He has the full authority of the office and, as you have seen here, he has the full confidence of the president and the attorney general. That's all he needs," Clinton said.

Asked whether the Lee appointment ignored the Senate's "advise and consent" role, Clinton noted the Senate never voted on the nomination, and expressed his belief the full Senate would have confirmed Lee.

"If the Senate had rejected his appointment ... I certainly would not have named him to this position." Clinton said any retaliation by the Senate would not only be "unwarranted, it would be wrong."

White House Press Secretary Michael McCurry said the decision to appoint Lee on an "acting" basis--rather than grant a recess appointment--had been reached after "extensive" contacts between White House officials and Senate leaders, including Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss.

However, McCurry said the decision to appoint Lee as an "acting" official was prompted in part by advice from Senate Democrats, who argued appointing Lee in that capacity would--unlike a recess appointment--allow him to serve beyond 1998 and would leave open the option of a potential Senate confirmation. For his part, Hatch indicated over the weekend such a move would be less objectionable than a recess appointment.

Lott Monday signaled his continuing opposition to Lee, saying, "I do not believe Bill Lann Lee should be assistant attorney general--even in an acting capacity--because of his positions advocating racial preferences and timetables."

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., hailed Lee's appointment, saying his "credentials and . . . commitment to equal justice for all Americans are impeccable." House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., also issued a statement supporting Clinton's decision.