ABSTRACT
The Republican party campaign of 1980 promised to "get government off the backs of business." The victory of the party's presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan, brought a turn toward deregulation. Some environmental regulations were among the Republican targets, but deregulation in the environmental area was overshadowed by the loosening of controls over corporate business activities. The Republican party campaign also called for the reduction of social programs. In addition, the Republicans now controlled the Senate majority. Even some Republicans were having second thoughts. Senator Charles Mathias, the second-ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, changed his mind and decided to vote against confirmation. Leading the defense, Hatch lambasted the Democrats. "They have left no stone unthrown," he said. Those who dominate the discussion usually do so because they have not lined up the votes needed to win. When it was time to count the votes on the evening of September 17, the Republicans poured onto the floor and ensured Rehnquist's victory.
