WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), delivered the following remarks at a committee hearing on the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During his remarks, Chairman Barrasso recognized former Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-OK) for the committee’s many accomplishments under his leadership during the 114th Congress.

Chairman Barrasso’s remarks:

 

“I want to say a few words about Senator Inhofe, and his distinguished career as chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

“First, I want to thank my friend Jim Inhofe, for his leadership at this committee.

“His dedication to protecting the environment, rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, and strengthening the country’s economy were clearly evident throughout his time as chairman.

“He worked across party lines to get things done.

“During the 114th Congress, under Jim Inhofe’s leadership, our committee held 67 hearings, of those, eight were field hearings.

“32 bills passed out of our committee were signed into law.

“Chairman Inhofe oversaw the first long-term highway bill in a decade.

“This law will improve the nation’s roads, bridges, transit systems, and rail transportation networks.

“He also worked on a bipartisan basis, with former Ranking Member Barbara Boxer, to pass badly needed Water Resources Development Act legislation.

“This new law prioritizes dam, waterway, and port construction projects, and supports flood control projects that protect millions of people.

“For the first time in 40 years, the Toxic Substances Control Act was modernized under Chairman Inhofe’s tenure.

“This law enacts a new uniform regulatory program that will improve public confidence in the safety of chemicals, promote innovation, and provide manufacturers with certainty regarding regulation.

“Chairman Inhofe also worked to keep the administration accountable.

“Chairman Inhofe worked to ensure that there was oversight of overreaching administration regulations concerning the Clean Power Plan, Waters of the U.S. Rule, the Stream Buffer Rule, coal ash regulations, and many more.

“I am very glad that Senator Inhofe will remain on the committee, and I look forward to working closely with him to protect our environment and bolster our nation’s economy.

“Senator Inhofe, thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your leadership.”

###