KEY VOTE: "YES" on the Nomination of Scott Pruitt for EPA Administrator

This week, the Senate is expected to vote on the confirmation of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Pruitt was nominated by President Donald Trump on December 7, 2016.

Attorney General Pruitt has a long and distinguished record of defending American values and prioritizing the wellbeing of American families over big government policies, which makes him an excellent choice to lead one of the largest regulatory agencies in our country. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Pruitt demonstrated expertise on environmental laws and championed the states' roles in implementing those laws, highlighting the importance of cooperative federalism. Previously, he served as an Oklahoma State Senator from 1998 to 2006 and then as Oklahoma's Attorney General from 2011 until he was nominated to lead the EPA.

During his time as AG of Oklahoma, Pruitt led the charge against then-President Obama's repeated regulatory overreach, filing briefs in 14 lawsuits against the EPA. Most notably, he led the fight against the egregious "Waters of the United States" rule—a regulation so overreaching that it would have subjected even small ditches to federal regulation. He also worked to protect small businesses and hardworking Americans from the devastating impacts of the EPA's mercury regulation for power plants and climate change regulations. Heritage Foundation expert Nicolas Loris writes in his article Scott Pruitt Provides an Opportunity to Rein in a Rogue EPA:

. . . critics of Pruitt questioned his ability to lead an agency he has sued as a state attorney general. But as attorney general, that's exactly what he is supposed to do: protect his state from overreach when the EPA does not comply with the law.

And he wasn't the only one. Twenty-seven states sued the Obama administration over the Clean Power Plan global warming regulations, and similarly, 27 states sued over the EPA's Waters of the United States regulation that is a massive threat to private property rights.

If you've heard anything from the activists protesting Pruitt's nomination, you'd think he's going to lead the United States on a path to the air and water quality of China. But the truth is that Pruitt has an opportunity to lead a responsible EPA, not an overzealous one like it is today.

Mr. Pruitt's commitment to prudent environmental protections that help ensure American's have access to clean air and water is evident. During his time as AG he negotiated a deal to protect the Illinois River by reducing phosphorus via runoff controls. He also negotiated a water deal with between the state, local Tribes and Oklahoma City to protect the environment and water sources, ending a 19th century dispute. Pruitt even sued BP for double-dipping in the reclamation fund.

At the same time, Mr. Pruitt has demonstrated an even more fundamental commitment to the Constitution and rule of law. His leadership is exactly what is needed at this time to rein in an out-of-control EPA. Confirming Mr. Pruitt as EPA Administrator is a critical first step toward restoring the appropriate balance between both economic growth and environmental protection, limited regulation, a timely approval process, and prioritizing the role of states in local regulation by the EPA, instead of promoting a liberal agenda.