For Immediate Release:            Contact: Marc Morano 202-224-5762
March 29, 2007                                           marc_morano@epw.senate.gov
                                                                     Matt Dempsey 202-224-9797
                                                                     matthew_dempsey@epw.senate.gov

EPW COMMITTEE PASSES WRDA BILL, MARTELLA NOMINATION

WASHINGTON, DC – Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Environment & Public Works Committee, today praised committee passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and nomination of Roger Martella for General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following the EPW Committee business meeting. The WRDA bill that passed out of the Committee today is essentially the same bill the Senate passed last year, which should allow for faster consideration in the Senate. Today’s approval of Mr. Martella’s nomination is the second time the EPW Committee has favorably reported his nomination.

“The unanimous vote in favor of the WRDA bill today represents the Committee’s commitment to getting this bill to the President as soon as possible,” Senator Inhofe said. “The WRDA bill provides numerous project authorizations and policy improvements that are vital to the nation’s economy, public safety and environment. I believe that because the Committee is building upon last year’s efforts, we should be able to move the bill quickly through the Senate and back to conference with the House.

“I am also pleased that the Committee favorably reported the nomination of Roger Martella to be General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency. As the Principal Deputy General Counsel of the EPA and a highly qualified career attorney, I believe Mr. Martella will make an excellent General Counsel. I look forward to his nomination moving to the floor for a vote as soon as possible.”

RESULTS FROM THE EPW COMMITTEE BUSINESS MEETING

NOMINATIONS ( Both Approved by Voice Vote):

Nomination of Bradley Udall to be a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation (reappointment)

Nomination of Roger Romulus Martella, Jr. to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (General Counsel)

LEGISLATION (All Approved by Voice Vote):

S. 801, a bill to designate a United States courthouse in Fresno, California as the Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse

S. 521, a bill to designate the Federal building and courthouse in Duluth, Minnesota, as the Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building and United States Courthouse and Customhouse.

S. 992, The Public Buildings Cost Reduction Act of 2007, as modified by Warner amendment 1 (as modified) and Warner amendment 2 (as modified)

S. ____, The Water Resources Development Act of 2007

S. 496, The Appalachian Regional Development Act Amendments of 2007.

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