EPA Nominee Scott Pruitt Approved By Senate Committee

Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved Scott Pruitt to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by a vote of 11-0 on party lines.  Due to a Democratic boycott of the vote the Republicans suspended the rules governing a quorum (requiring two Democrats to be present) to approve Mr. Pruitt.

Mr. Pruitt is one of several Trump nominations that has been met with fierce opposition from Democrats and one of two nominees where rules were suspended to receive committee approval.  Mr. Pruitt’s nomination will now be sent to the full Senate for a floor vote at a date not yet known.  It appears Mr. Pruitt’s nomination is imminent with little signs of Republican defection with the 51 vote majority vote needed.