Among their concerns, the Members of Congress pointed to public statements made by the Administrator last week that inaccurately portrayed the real risks of mercury exposure through eating certain types of tuna. Last week, Leavitt said, "It's about the trout not tuna. It's about what you catch on the shore, not what you buy off the shelf," in response to a question on an EPA national report on fishing advisories.

The lawmakers also expressed strong discontent that, based on statements from other Agency officials in recent days and weeks, the Administration continues to neglect its promises to thoroughly study the available options for devising the most protective and legally sound mercury regulation possible.

They repeated a request from June to meet with Administrator Leavitt personally to discuss these and other concerns about EPA's efforts to regulate mercury, a dangerous neurotoxin. In April, nearly half the Senate called on EPA to re-propose a utility rule that meets Clean Air Act technology-based standards for stringent reductions of mercury and other air toxics.

This message was reiterated in June, when 184 members of the House urged EPA to analyze the full range of mercury control options and issue a supplemental proposal and final rule that meet the requirements of section 112 of the Clean Air Act.

The letter was signed by: U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy (D – Vt.), Jim Jeffords (I - Vt.), Joe Lieberman (D – Conn.), Barbara Boxer (D- Cal.), Hillary Clinton ( D – NY), U.S. Reps. Henry A. Waxman (D – Cal.), Edward Markey (D – Mass.), Janice Schakowsky (D - Il.), Tom Allen (D - Me.), and Chris Van Hollen (D – Md.).