WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Chairman of the Environment & Public Works Committee commented today on the United States Senate’s confirmation of that Steve Johnson to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The cloture motion for Steve Johnson passed by a vote of 61-37, he was later confirmed by voice vote. “It was a shame that his nomination required a cloture vote before he was confirmed by the Senate," Senator Inhofe said. "From the boycott of Governor Leavitt’s first confirmation hearing to the required cloture vote to break the Democratic filibuster over Mr. Johnson, some members of the minority have engaged in a pattern of systematic obstruction over EPA nominees, hopefully this cloture motion will finally put an end to these shameful tactics.” “Steve has spent over twenty years at EPA and is sincerely committed to improving and protecting the environment for generations to come,” Senator Inhofe said. “It is a testament to his hard work in public service that he was approved by the full Senate to lead EPA as its Administrator. As I have told Steve before, I believe he is tackling one of the toughest jobs in the federal government. I look forward working with him on the many issues and challenges facing EPA and our nation’s environment.”