Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today in response to reports that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt will only attend tomorrow’s Environment Subcommittee hearing for one hour and will then take a three hour break before returning later that afternoon:
“The Trump Administration and Administrator Pruitt continue to thumb their noses at Congress - defying any real attempts for Congressional oversight. It is outrageous enough that Mr. Pruitt is testifying before Congress for the first time since becoming Administrator, and now that outrage is taken to another level by the Administrator needing to leave after a mere one hour of testimony.
“Congressional Republicans need to grow a backbone and stand up to President Trump and the members of his cabinet, like Administrator Pruitt, who have repeatedly ignored any Congressional oversight. It’s clear that we’re simply not going to get any real oversight of the Trump Administration from Congressional Republicans anytime soon."
