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Donald Trump administration EPA Administrator appointment, 2017
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Following his election as the 45th President of the United States in 2016, Donald Trump and his transition team considered individuals to fill the position of EPA administrator. Scott Pruitt was confirmed to this position on February 17, 2017.[1]
The EPA administrator oversees a department that develops and enforces regulations; gives grants to nonprofit, educational institutions and state environmental agencies; studies environmental issues; publishes the agency's findings (as well as other educational materials) and sponsors partnerships. To read more about the Environmental Protection Agency, click here.
Timeline
| Nomination tracker | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate: Scott Pruitt | ||
| Position: EPA administrator | ||
| Confirmation progress | ||
 | Announced: | December 8, 2016 |
| Hearing: | January 18, 2017 |
| Committee: | Environment and Public Works Committee |
| Reported: | February 2, 2017 11-0 |
| Confirmed: | February 17, 2017 |
| Vote: | 52-46 |
The following timeline highlights noteworthy events related to this appointment.
- December 7, 2016: Trump nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for the position.[1]
- February 17, 2017: The U.S. Senate voted 52-46 to confirm Pruitt.[1]
Reactions to Pruitt’s nomination
Reactions on Capitol Hill to news of Pruitt’s nomination was divided along party lines, with Democrats voicing opposition and Republicans expressing support. Below is a collection of statements from U.S. Senators.[2]
- Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.): “[Pruitt] has a very successful history with his time in Oklahoma and I look forward to confirmation hearings, and doing it quickly, so that President Trump, when he comes into office, can have his team on the ground and ready to go.”
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.): “At a time when climate change is the great environmental threat to the entire planet, it is sad and dangerous that Mr. Trump has nominated Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA.”
- Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.): “He’s very familiar with all the issues. He’s been involved in all the issues having to do with the EPA that I’ve been involved in. I’m very excited.”
- Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii): “We’re certainly going to draw a line in the sand. This is the worst-case scenario when it comes to clean air and clean water, to nominate a climate denier to the agency charged with protecting our natural resources.”
Considered candidates for Secretary of the Army
The table below highlights individuals who were either nominated to the position by Trump or were mentioned in the media as potential nominees.
| Considered candidates for EPA Administrator | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Notable experience | Source | |
| Myron Ebell | Director at the Competitive Enterprise Institute | The New York Times | |
| Robert Grady | Hedge fund manager | The New York Times | |
| Jeffrey Holmstead | Former deputy EPA administrator for George W. Bush | The New York Times | |
| Joe Aiello | Director of New Jersey Department of Environmental Proection Divison of Environmental Safety and Quality Assurance | Politico | |
| Carol Comer | Commissioner of Indiana Department of Environmental Management | Politico | |
| Leslie Rutledge | Attorney General of Arkansas | Politico | |
| Mike Catanzaro | Former energy advisor to John Boehner | Politico | |
Scott Pruitt  |
Oklahoma Attorney General | Politico | |
See also
External links
Footnotes
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