In news from Washington, the Republican chair of a Senate environmental committee has been accused of intimidating critics of President Bush’s proposed Clear Skies environmental initiative. Two weeks ago, two national organizations openly criticized the measure. In response Republican Senator James Inhofe has directed the two organizations to turn over their financial and tax records for the past six years as well as provide a list of members. The organizations are the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials. Both organizations represent state and local agencies that deal with monitoring air pollution. Republicans have defended the request claiming they need to know whether the groups are secretly being subsidized by any outside interests such as environmentalists or foundations. Critics of the so-called Clear Skies initiative say the legislation is too lenient on polluters and would undermine the abilities of individual states to protect air quality. Democratic Congressman Henry Waxman of California said: “This is a blatant attempt at intimidation and bullying so that experts will be afraid to speak out about a bill that rolls back air pollution protections for all Americans.”