Anne Gorsuch Burford, Former EPA Administrator and Mother of Supreme Court Nominee, Dies at 82

Anne Gorsuch Burford (née McGill)

Anne Irene McGill Gorsuch Burford, former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Ronald Reagan and mother of Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, died on July 18, 2004, at the age of 82.

Early Life and Career

Anne Gorsuch was born on April 21, 1942. She served as administrator of the EPA from 1981 to 1983 and was the first woman to hold that position. During her tenure, she focused on deregulation and environmental risk assessment.

Controversies

Gorsuch's tenure at the EPA was marked by controversy. She was accused of weakening environmental regulations and ignoring potential risks to human health and the environment. In 1982, she was found in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents.

Family and Legacy

Anne Gorsuch was married twice and had three children. Her son, Neil Gorsuch, is a federal appeals court judge who has been nominated by President Trump to the Supreme Court. According to her son, Anne Gorsuch's political life had a significant impact on their family.

Anne Gorsuch Burford's tenure as EPA administrator and her legacy as an environmental regulator remain the subject of debate. Her death marks the end of an era in the history of environmental policy and leaves a lasting impression on the public discourse surrounding her role.