Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a letter to the members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR) urging a "no" vote on the nomination of Rhea Suh to be Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the U.S. Department of Interior (Interior). Vitter led the opposition of Suh in the EPW committee based on her record of opposition to natural gas and other energy production projects.
"I find ironic that two days after the Committee is holding a hearing on the positive aspects of natural gas, they're expected to mark up the nomination of Rhea Suh who is on record calling expanded natural gas development ‘the single greatest threat' to our environment," Vitter wrote to the ENR Committee. "What kind of message does it send to hold a hearing on the potential benefits of natural gas when only two days later the Chair and committee Democrats plan to vote out of committee President Obama's nominee with the most clear record of opposition to natural gas production?"
In February, Suh passed out of the EPW committee on a party line vote. Vitter opposed her nomination. At the EPW committee hearing, Vitter spoke in opposition to the nomination of Suh and raised concerns about her record. The ENR Committee shares jurisdiction of the Interior Department with EPW, and is scheduled to vote on Suh on Thursday, March 27. Vitter's letter to the ENR Committee members today.
Members of Louisiana's House delegation urged Vitter and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) to use their positions on their respective committees to oppose Suh.
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