The Senate confirmed this week Utah Governor Michael Leavitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency, ending an effort by six senators to protest the Bush administration's environmental policies by blocking the vote, according to the Associated Press.

In a statement, the President said: "Governor Leavitt is an exceptional leader who shares my commitment to reaching out across partisan lines to get things done. I know he will work closely with me to build upon my administration's initiatives to make our air and water cleaner, protect the land, and use technology to improve our environment while our economy grows and creates jobs."