Today, U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), top Republican on the Environment and Public Works Committee, sent a response letter to members of the Louisianan Congressional Delegation regarding the nomination of Rhea Suh to be Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the U.S. Department of Interior (Interior). Last month the majority of the Louisiana House Congressional delegation requested in a letter that Sens. Vitter and Mary Landrieu (D-La.) oppose Suh's nomination in their respective committees.

"During Rhea Suh's time as a senior official within Interior, they issued a job-killing moratorium on energy development in the Gulf, entered secretive agreements known as ‘sue and settle' with their far-left environmental allies, continually restricted access to federal lands both on and offshore, and supporting her nomination would represent support for President Obama's policies that have seriously hurt our domestic energy development over the past five years," said Vitter. "Because of the Senate rules changes, the best opportunity to stop a nominee comes in Committee. And the Energy Committee is now the best opportunity to block the nomination that represents President Obama's agenda to halt traditional energy production."

In February, Rhea Suh passed out of the EPW committee on a party line vote. Vitter opposed her nomination. At the EPW committee hearing, Vitter spoke in opposition to the nomination of Suh and raised concerns about her record. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee shares jurisdiction of the Interior Department with EPW, so they still need to schedule a vote on Suh. Click here to read more.

Click here to read the initial letter to Vitter and Landrieu from U.S. Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Charles Boustany (R-La.), Steve Scalise (R-La.), John Fleming (R-La.), and Vance McAllister (R-La.). Click here to read Vitter's response from earlier today.