Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
As catalogued in reporting from the New York Times, the dam of defense from Republican Senators of embattled EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is breaking wide open.
Here are the latest remarks from Republican Senators:
Senator Bill Cassidy: “The ethical lapses associated with Scott Pruitt are troublesome. It will be the President’s call. He let Price go.”
Senator John Cornyn: “obviously this controversy continues to swirl and it needs to be resolved, one way or the other.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski, who has just announced intention to call Pruitt before her committee: “The administration has a decision to make.”
Senator John Barrasso: “It is critical that E.P.A. and all federal agencies comply with notification requirements to Congress before spending taxpayer dollars. E.P.A. must give a full public accounting of this expenditure and explain why the agency thinks it was complying with the law.”
Senator Joni Ernst: “He needs to watch his expenditures. It’s important that we protect our American taxpayers.”
Senator John Boozman: “I think there are legitimate concerns about him…. I think the president at some point is going to weigh in.”
And even senior Republican strategists are piling on:
Alex Castellanos: “Pruitt represents the opposite of Donald Trump’s populism: He thinks he is more worthy than the little people he represents.”
John Feehery, who worked for former House Speakers Tom DeLay and Dennis Hastert: “There are times when the legislative branch gets really sick and tired of the executive branch — and says so. I don’t think you’ve seen that in a while. Pruitt has made a lot of people very angry.”
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