Posted on 02/15/2017 2:46:48 PM PST by jazusamo
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) will vote against confirming President Trumps nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Collins is the only Senate Republican to come out against Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma attorney general who sued the EPA 14 times during former President Obamas administration.
I have significant concerns that Mr. Pruitt has actively opposed and sued the EPA on numerous issues that are of great importance to the state of Maine, including mercury controls for coal-fired power plants and efforts to reduce cross-state air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, Collins told Maine Public Radio on Wednesday.
His actions leave me with considerable doubts about whether his vision for the EPA is consistent with the agencys critical mission to protect human health and the environment.
Senators could vote on confirming Pruitt as early as Friday and despite Collinss defection, Pruitt is still likely to be confirmed. The GOP's other 51 senators are likely to vote for him, and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said he has the right experience for the position.
The rest of the Democratic caucus is likely to vote against Pruitt, who needs a simple majority of 51 votes to be confirmed.
Pruitts litigious history with the agency he wants to lead has been central to the campaign by Democrats and environmentalists against him.
He has sued to stop regulations controlling mercury pollution from power plants, carbon dioxide from power plants, a cleanup program for the Chesapeake Bay, ground-level ozone pollution, Obamas rule asserting federal power over small waterways and more.
Pruitt and Republicans have defended the lawsuits as necessary to stop overreach by Obamas EPA. Among the cases that have made it to a final court decision, Pruitt has been victorious just once.
Collins is one of the most centrist Republicans in the Senate, having broken with her party numerous times to support environmental regulations and legislation.
The Sierra Club applauded Collins Wednesday.
Today, Senator Collins took a stand for families across Maine by opposing this dangerous nomination that would be a threat to our clean air, clean water, and public health, Glen Brand, director of the groups Maine chapter, said in a statement.
Collins' announcement came on the heels of a major blow for Trump's Cabinet slate, after Andy Puzder withdrew from consideration as Labor secretary one day before his confirmation hearing. She had expressed skepticism about his nomination, and also voted against final confirmation for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
I hate this woman...I really hate this woman...I can’t wait until we have a better count in the Senate so she will not matter anymore. She has been a thorn in everything that is right and she’s been getting away with it for too long.
Could we cut off all energy supplies to Maine and let them get by with whatever they would agree to produce in their state?
“A!So, these votes are mostly controlled by Majority leader...He lets her do this when he knows he has the votes.”
Sure...like DeVos that needed VP vote...that’s cutting it real thin. I’m sorry but she has been trouble since her first day in office.. BTW, didn’t she vote against impeachment for Bill Clinton? And she has sunk a few nominees over the years. Don’t tell me we need her...like we needed Lincoln Chafee???
We can only hope the people of Maine are watching this dingbat. Come election time, I hope it makes a difference with them.
A Profile in Courage vote on her part every once in awhile would help but I don’t see too many. If it was her last term it would make it easier but Chaffee didn’t go that route.
“Could we cut off all energy supplies to Maine and let them get by with whatever they would agree to produce in their state?”
If I recall Maine gets most of its energy,Gas,Electrical power and gasoline from Canada or imported from the Middle east.
As far as Senator Collins.She’s the Alice Ghostly of the GOPe
Maine is a net energy exporter.
That’s interesting. What forms of energy do they develop and export in Maine?
Sen. Susan Collins (RINO-Maine)
Susan Collins...Democrat Light needs to be DEFEATED!! She is WEAK KNEED LIBERAL WUSS!!
Maine is a net energy exporter.
I wish. This is false info. We use nat gas to generate about 40% of power (gas piped in from elswhere). Hydro for some smaller amount and other misc sources. Most home are oil heat/water.
Biomass
Susan Collins should have been tossed out a long time ago.
You have your opinion, I have mine. Seems like everytime a Repub is against something a Repub president is trying, her name is there along with McCain and a few others. As far as I am concerned, she might just as well be a Dem. She is bought and paid for by the unions from what I can see. Again, you have your opinion, I have mine.
Collins and Mikulsky are PROOF that the REPUBLICANS SOMETIMES MAKE MISTAKES....SAD
She’s not up for re-election until 2020... But this is the 2nd time she’s opposed a Trump nominee...
I don’t wholly disagree with you. If, however, we get rid of e very gope Senator the Dems would be there and they are even worst. Give Trump time to get things passed then worry about this slime
Joe Manchin will NOT vote with Trump if his vote is the 50th or 51st vote. Only if it’s a safe vote will Schumer let him off the leash. Bet on it.
What a waste of space and air.
Your comments make your tagline more appropriate than ever.
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