Increasingly, agency administrators are being required to provide evidence that their services make a difference for the children, families, and communities they serve.

In 2001, a new agency administrator made completing the project a priority.

Cabinet officers and other agency administrators have until the end of this week to challenge those decisions.

But agency administrators say budget officials made arbitrary decisions that had devastating consequences.

"We don't know what the reason is behind these numbers," said the agency administrator, Diane Steed.

In fact, she could be confirmed as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency next week.

Republicans said she could be a candidate for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Stephen Johnson, the agency administrator, claimed there was "insufficient evidence" linking health problems to long-term exposure.

"This administration is not afraid to enforce," said Christie Whitman, the agency administrator.

Marion C. Blakey, the agency administrator, said the changes would improve safety.