Scalia Defends Opposition to Ergonomics Law

Danielle Jackson

Washington, D.C. -- Eugene Scalia, President Bush's nominee as the Labor Departments's top enforcement lawyer, defended his opposition to workplace safety regulations at a Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday, criticizing ergonomics and Clinton-era regulations as "quackery" and "junk science," according to an Associated Press report.

The Senate is expected to vote on Scalia's nomination on Oct. 10. His support is split in half - Democrats are against him, and Republicans support him. The determining vote could be cast by Independent Sen. Jim Jeffords, Vt., who was not at the hearing but apparently said he would support the nomination.

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao is expected to announce later this month whether the Department will pursue another ergonomics regulations or pursue a voluntary approach.