Rounds Speaks on Senate Floor in Support of EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, who is President Trump’s nominee to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt’s confirmation was advanced out of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, on which Rounds serves. His confirmation vote is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET tomorrow, Feb. 17, 2017.

“General Pruitt’s legal background and experience with the EPA regulatory process makes him well-suited to lead the agency,” said Rounds in his speech. “He has an in-depth understanding of the impact regulations have on landowners, American businesses and state and local governments. As Attorney General, Mr. Pruitt has been a leader in standing up for the rights of state governments in the face of an aggressive EPA that has imposed increasingly costly and burdensome regulations on the states.”

Text of Rounds’ remarks as prepared for delivery:

Mr. President, I rise today to discuss President Trump’s nominee to be Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt.

 

General Pruitt’s legal background and experience with the EPA regulatory process makes him well-suited to lead the agency. 

 

He has an in-depth understanding of the impact regulations have on landowners, American businesses and state and local governments.

 

As Attorney General, Mr. Pruitt has been a leader in standing up for the rights of state governments in the face of an aggressive EPA that has imposed increasingly costly and burdensome regulations on the states.

 

During his time as Attorney General, Pruitt established Oklahoma’s first Federalism Unit in the Office of Solicitor General to more effectively combat unwarranted regulation and overreach by federal agencies.

 

General Pruitt is a strong believer in federalism and states’ rights – which have been often overlooked by the previous administration, often to the detriment of the U.S. economy and environment.

 

I am hopeful General Pruitt will take steps to improve the federal regulatory process to make certain federal regulations are promulgated with adequate public participation, underpinned by the best scientific evidence available and in a transparent and open manner.

 

General Pruitt understands the importance of taking stakeholder, state and local government comments and expertise into account when promulgating regulations.

 

He understands that listening to and considering the different viewpoints of stakeholders will improve the regulatory process and lead to better regulations.

 

This will lead to fewer burdensome and costly regulations for South Dakota farmers, ranchers and landowners while at the same time making certain we have clean air and clean water.

 

The Obama EPA’s process for considering scientific information was flawed and unbalanced. 

 

There is a lack of balanced opinion, geographic diversity and state, local and tribal representation on EPA’s Science Advisory Board - which is tasked with providing scientific advice to EPA.

 

General Pruitt understands the importance of relying on the most up-to-date science to underpin environmental regulations. 

 

During his confirmation hearing, he affirmed to me that he would uphold its obligations to use the most current, accurate data and sound science when making decisions, specifically when it comes to the Renewable Fuel Standard.

 

The RFS has been successful in South Dakota encouraging investments and creating jobs in corn ethanol production.

 

Mr. Pruitt understands the importance of corn ethanol to the Midwest.

 

Throughout his tenure as Attorney General, General Pruitt witnessed first-hand the negative impact that EPA regulations, such as the Waters of the US rule, have on U.S. landowners and business owners.

 

He saw how incomplete economic analysis did not account for the full impact of regulations on U.S. citizens and the regulatory burden was often far greater than what EPA claimed it would be.

 

Attorney General can modernize the EPA’s approach to regulation and make certain that regulations are promulgated in a deliberate, fair and transparent process.

 

A better regulatory process will lead to better regulations. 

 

Better regulations will make certain our air, water and land is protected, our economy grows, and American jobs are created.

 

Attorney General Pruitt has had a rigorous vetting process since first being nominated by President Trump.

 

He has answered more than 1,200 questions from Senators – more than 1,000 more questions than nominees for EPA Administrator from the incoming Obama, Bush and Clinton Administrations.

 

Additionally, his confirmation hearing was the longest for any EPA administrator. 

 

I’d like to thank Chairman Barrasso for spearheading this fair and transparent confirmation process.

 

I’d also like to thank Attorney General Pruitt for taking the time to answer all of the questions that were asked to him and meeting with Senators both on and off the EPW Committee.

 

General Pruitt’s impressive background and depth of knowledge on EPA issues make him well-suited to be EPA Administrator.

 

As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee which has oversight of the EPA, I look forward to his eventual confirmation and to working with him in the future.

 

Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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