Senate Approves Pruitt To Head EPA, Merkley Claims Cover Up

The US Senate on Friday in a 52 to 46 vote confirmed Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley (Dem) blasted the confirmation, claiming the vote should have been delayed until emails containing Pruitt’s correspondence with the fossil fuel industry are released next Tuesday per a judge’s order.

“What happened today was an egregious cover up, and a total abdication of the Senate’s constitutional responsibility to vet nominees before voting,” Merkley claimed.

According to Merkley, “As Oklahoma Attorney General, Scott Pruitt has protected polluters over the public at every step of the way. He has opposed clean air and clean water standards again and again, even when our children’s health is at stake.”

Merkley said it was wrong to hold the Friday vote today “before Senators and the American people have had the chance to see the full truth about Scott Pruitt.”