Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, reminded Gina McCarthy, nominee to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), of his request for five specific transparency commitments. Since the beginning of her nomination process, Vitter and EPW Republicans have made the same five requests, some of which include releasing documents.

"Similar to how Chairman Boxer successfully received her requested information by holding NRC nominee Allison MacFarlane to her pledge taken under oath before this Committee, I hope that you will honor your own pledge, taken under oath, to provide us with all the relevant documents we have requested," wrote Vitter to McCarthy. "On April 11, in your nomination hearing, you pledged to provide the Committee with relevant information we requested and that you would provide all documents and other information to the Committee in a timely manner. This is especially important in connection with our ongoing pursuit of transparency."

Last week, Vitter noted the ongoing delay of a vote on the nomination of Allison MacFarlane to head the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, due to EPW Chairman Barbara Boxer's (D-Calif.) waiting to receive nearly 70,000 documents.

Below is the text of today's letter to McCarthy. Click here to see the PDF version.

 

June 10, 2013

The Honorable Gina McCarthy
Assistant Administrator
Office of Air and Radiation
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Assistant Administrator McCarthy:

I write to reiterate my request for all documents that are in any way related to the five transparency requests the Committee has made pursuant to your nomination to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

On March 20, I first asked for five specific transparency commitments. I, along with my EPW Republican colleagues, again requested this information in multiple letters dated April 10, April 16, May 1, May 13, and May 16, as well as in person.

On April 11, in your nomination hearing, you pledged to provide the Committee with relevant information we requested and that you would provide all documents and other information to the Committee in a timely manner. This is especially important in connection with our ongoing pursuit of transparency.

Similar to how Chairman Boxer successfully received her requested information by holding NRC nominee Allison MacFarlane to her pledge taken under oath before this Committee, I hope that you will honor your own pledge, taken under oath, to provide us with all the relevant documents we have requested. This request includes, but is not limited to all emails, notes, spreadsheets, and memoranda that refer or relate to each of the five requests.

Sincerely,

David Vitter
Ranking Member
Environment and Public Works

 

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