McCollum Statement on Nomination of Scott Pruitt as EPA Administrator

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.), the Ranking Member of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:

“President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to put polluters’ profits ahead of the health of our communities and the future of our planet. His nomination of Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is further proof that the Trump administration will cater to big polluters and the fossil fuel industry.

“The Environmental Protection Agency plays a critical role as the watchdog for clean air, clean water, and public health. Unfortunately, Mr. Pruitt’s record as Oklahoma Attorney General includes secretly colluding with energy industry lobbyists to fight important clean air and clean water rules, including those that address climate change. We must not allow this anti-environmental agenda to become the law of the land.

“With the Pruitt nomination, President-elect Trump has shown once again that he cannot be trusted as a responsible steward of our environment. As the lead Democrat on the committee that funds the Environmental Protection Agency, I will keep fighting alongside all Americans who care about the health of our communities and the future of our planet.”