WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today spoke on the Senate floor voicing her opposition to Dr. Christopher Frey, President Biden’s nominee to be assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Research and Development. Ranking Member Capito previously opposed Dr. Frey’s nomination in committee.

Ranking Member Capito’s remarks, as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you, Madame President,

“As Ranking Member of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, I rise to oppose Dr. Chris Frey’s nomination due to the consistent lack of responsiveness from the EPA on our critical oversight matters.

“The Republican leader, Senator McConnell, just talked about Dr. Frey’s research on gas grills and grilling out. Over the past 16 months, my objections are that the Biden EPA has repeatedly slow-walked responses to reasonable oversight requests for agency briefings and documents related to implementation of policies with huge—huge—implications for our economy and our constituents’ lives.

“We cannot adequately oversee the agency’s programs – including historic levels of drinking water infrastructure funding made possible by the bipartisan [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] – without this transparency.

“Madame President, until the EPA heeds congressional oversight requests, I urge my colleagues to join me in opposing Dr. Frey’s nomination.”

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