Democratic Boycott of Scott Pruitt Committee Vote is Necessary and Commendable

Washington, D.C. – Today the Democratic members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee refused to vote on the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the EPA. In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

“Today’s actions by Democrats to resist Scott Pruitt’s nomination were necessary and commendable. Pruitt is wholly unfit and unqualified to lead the EPA, and anything done by anyone to prevent his confirmation must be welcomed and encouraged. Sadly, efforts by Senate Republicans to move Pruitt’s nomination forward confirm what we now know to be true: most Republicans hold an aggressive disdain for science, public health and common-sense environmental protection. Moving forward, any senator of either party that supports Pruitt’s nomination will be judged as anti-science, anti-health and anti-environment, and be held appropriately accountable by the people.”

Last month, Food & Water Watch organzied a letter signed by more than 500 national, state and local organizations representing a wide range of interests and identities, calling on senators to "not only vote against Pruitt’s nomination, but actively use all the power of your office and position to block it," and "use all procedural means at your disposal to block Scott Pruitt from becoming EPA administrator.” In addition to many high-profile environmental organizations, notable signatories include NAACP, Hispanic Federation, Communications Workers of America, Working Families Party, National Nurses United, Breast Cancer Action, Indigenous Environmental Network, Young Evangelicals for Climate Action, Our Revolution, PDA, CREDO and Daily Kos.

Contact: Seth Gladstone - sgladstone[at]fwwatch[dot]org, 347.778.2866