Click here to watch Chairman Barrasso’s remarks.
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 on the Senate floor, in support of the nomination of Susan Parker Bodine to serve as assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Senate confirmed Bodine by voice vote.
Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“The Environmental Protection Agency needs strong and experienced leadership.
“That’s why I come to the floor today to speak in support of President Trump’s nomination of Susan Parker Bodine to serve as the assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at the EPA.
“Her expertise and her experience make her an exceptional pick to lead this important office at the agency.
“She has extensive environmental policy knowledge from years working as a private attorney, a staffer on Capitol Hill, and in leadership at the EPA.
“From 2006 to 2009, during the Bush Administration, she served as the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response.
“She also served as the staff director for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment.
“Most recently, Susan served as my chief counsel at the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“That’s why I know Susan is committed to finding commonsense ways to protect America’s land, air, and water.
“In this new role, she will work to help communities and small businesses comply with the law, while holding polluters accountable.
“Democrats and Republicans alike agree that she is the right person for the job.
“Mathy Stanislaus, a former Obama EPA assistant administrator said ‘Ms. Bodine understands both the internal side of the agency and the proper balance of enforcement,” and is a “standup person.’
“Ben Grumbles, a former George W. Bush assistant administrator and currently Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment, said ‘she’s tough and fair and committed to public service.’
“Susan is an excellent pick to lead the EPA’s Office of Enforcement.
“Taking on the critical task of enforcing our nation’s environmental laws is a big job.
“Mr. President, I can think of no better candidate for that job than Susan Bodine.”
Background Information:
On May 13, 2017, Barrasso praised President Trump’s announcement that he intended to nominate Bodine.
On June 13, 2017, the EPW Committee held a hearing on Bodine’s nomination.
On July 12, 2017, the EPW Committee advanced Bodine’s nomination at a business meeting.
From 2015-2017, Bodine served as chief counsel for EPW. From 2009-2015, Bodine was a partner at Barnes and Thornburg. During the last three years of the Bush administration, she served as the assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Prior to that, Bodine was staff director of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
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