Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt — under fire for alleged ethical lapses and extravagant federal spending — is the “wrong person” for the job “on policy grounds alone,” Sen. Susan Collins declared Sunday.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Maine Republican said the firestorm engulfing Pruitt “further distract” the EPA from “its very important mission.”
“The actions taken by Scott Pruitt in the environmental arena, whether it is trying to undermine the clean power plant plan or weaken the restrictions on lead or undermine methane rules, are reasons enough to validate my decision to oppose his confirmation,” she said.
"This daily drip of accusations of excessive spending and ethical violations serve to further distract the agency from accomplishing its very important mission. I think Congress needs to do some oversight. After all, we don't know the extent of the recommendations made by Mr. Pruitt's security team.”
“But on policy grounds alone, I think Scott Pruitt is the wrong person to head the EPA,” she said, adding: "I voted against confirming him but I believe my position was the correct one and has been validated by his actions. "
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