Press Releases

Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04) and Western Caucus members Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Randy Weber (TX-14) and Jim Bridenstine (OK-01) released the following statements after Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a bipartisan vote of 52-46 to serve as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“President Trump’s selection of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator is a clear signal that people, not politics, will be the top priority of his administration. Scott Pruitt believes the EPA should work with local and state governments to enact common-sense regulations that will protect the environment without crushing our economy,” said Chairman Gosar. “I enthusiastically support Administrator Pruitt and I know that he will listen to the unique concerns of Western communities and work with Congress to develop positive legislative solutions. The Western Caucus looks forward to working with him closely.” 

“After today’s confirmation vote in the Senate, I can hear the sighs of relief coming from thousands of business owners, farmers, and citizens across the country.  As the head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt will provide relief for those businesses, farmers, and citizens that have been suffering under this toxic regulatory environment for the last eight years. In Scott’s work as Oklahoma’s Attorney General, he recognized that Oklahomans know their state best,” remarked Congressman Mullin. “The most efficient regulatory environment is one where the federal government doesn’t tell the states how to regulate; it lets the states determine what is most effective for their state and people. I want to congratulate Scott on this new position and I look forward to following his work cutting the bureaucratic tape at the EPA.”

Congressman Weber said, “Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is both capable and qualified for the role of EPA Administrator. As Oklahoma Attorney General, he combatted a rogue EPA on numerous occasions. His confirmation will help restore the EPA to an organization that balances environmental protection with practical regulation.”

“President Obama turned the EPA into one of the most vilified agencies in the ‘swamp’ of over-reaching government.  As EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt will bring a rational, constitutional, and federalist perspective to environmental stewardship.  He knows the value of preserving our air, water, and land as well as the impact that regulations have had on jobs and people.  He is an excellent addition to the Trump Administration,” said Congressman Bridenstine.

Background:

As a result of confirmation by the Senate today, Scott Pruitt will be the 14^th Administrator of the EPA.

Redirecting the priorities of the EPA will be a daunting task. Under the outgoing Administration, the EPA churned out a jaw-dropping 4,000 new rules. Just filing the additional paperwork for bureaucrats back East from these regulations would impose a collective administrative burden of 3,767 years. Worse, the new regulations would stick Americans with an estimated $344 billion price tag.

As an EPA Administrator steeped in constitutional law, Pruitt will end the practice of creating policies that ignore individual property rights. As Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Pruitt joined with several states in litigating against the EPA’s WOTUS rule. Further, he established his state’s first “federalism unit” to combat unwarranted regulation and overreach by the federal government.

Pruitt also compiled an impressive conservation record as Attorney General, suggesting that he will be a sound environmental steward. He reached across the political aisle and state lines to hammer out an agreement with Arkansas’ Attorney General to improve the water quality of the Illinois River. The process had been stalled for years, and observers had given it little chance of success until Pruitt rose to the challenge.

While Pruitt supports the safe development of the nation’s resources to provide jobs and energy security, his record also shows that he has been tenacious in taking on polluters. As Attorney General, Pruitt has demonstrated that he’s more than willing to go after polluters. He has litigated against oil and gas companies that were defrauding his state’s taxpayers and profiting from pollution. Pruitt also took on utility companies in numerous rate cases.

The EPA’s mission calls for protecting both the nation’s natural resources and the people who live in this country. Pruitt understands that he must strike a balance that has been absent from the EPA over the past eight years. He recognizes that enhancing air, land and water quality doesn’t have to come at the cost of environmental regulations that stifle job growth and stall economic recovery.  His refreshing perspective will go a long way toward restoring public faith in the EPA and putting it back on its rightful course.

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