Politics

Senate Panel OKs Scott Pruitt To Head EPA Despite Democrat No-Show

Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved Pruitt's nomination 11-0.

Senate Panel OKs Scott Pruitt To Head EPA Despite Democrat No-Show
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A Senate committee vote confirmed Scott Pruitt as head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Republican members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously approved Pruitt's nomination.

Democrats on the panel boycotted the scheduled vote for the second time in a row.

According to the committee's rules, at least two members of the minority party must be there for a vote. But Sen. John Barrasso, chairman of the panel, suspended those rules so the nomination could pass with only Republican votes.

Trump's EPA Pick Says Something Unexpected About Climate Change
Trump's EPA Pick Says Something Unexpected About Climate Change

Trump's EPA Pick Says Something Unexpected About Climate Change

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Scott Pruitt said the climate is changing, which differs from what he's said on the subject in the past.

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"It's disappointing that they chose that course of action, but we will not allow it to obstruct," Barrasso said.

Democrats have opposed Pruitt since President Donald Trump nominated him in December.

When Pruitt was Oklahoma's attorney general, he sued the EPA multiple times. And Democrats on the committee say he hasn't answered some of the questions they asked him about his record and positions.

Pruitt's nomination will now go to the full Senate, where he will likely be approved next week.