The Hill News

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said Tuesday that she hopes environmental activists sue the administration over President Obama's decision last week to push off smog-control regulations.

Obama's move, widely praised by Republicans, would push implementation of the regulations until at least 2013. But critics have argued that the president is more interested in immediate job growth than long-term environmental protection.

{mosads}Boxer stopped short of that critique in a meeting with reporters Tuesday. But she said that she would still stand with groups suing the president to overturn the decision.

“I’m not making any charge. I’m just saying I disagree, strongly, with their decision,” Boxer said according to Politico. “And I hope they’ll be sued in court and I hope the court can stand by the Cle! an Air Act.”

Boxer said that suing the administration was a regular tool for environmental groups, and that she believed it to be an effective strategy. She also contested the idea that the regulations were burdensome on business. The president identified the smog regulations as among those expected to have a greater than billion-dollar cost on the economy.

"I’m on the side of the environmentalists," Boxer said. "If you factor in the health benefits you save so many lives and you prevent so many hospital admissions that it’s a big plus for the economy.”

In a statement issued by her office last week, Boxer reiterated that she was "disappointed" by the president's decision.

“I strongly believe that protecting air quality based on the science leads to more job growth because it brings so many positive health benefits to our workers," Boxer said. "Although I am disappointed with this decision to delay action, I am heartened ! by the President’s commitment to vigorously oppose any effor! ts to di smantle the Clean Air Act and the progress that we have made.”