3 Republican senators voice concern about Trump’s EPA chief
WASHINGTON — Three Republican senators expressed concern Sunday about embattled Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt amid growing scrutiny over his spending and management practices.
Sens. John Kennedy of Louisiana, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Susan Collins of Maine voiced worry in television talkshow interviews about Pruitt’s conduct.
Their comments came just hours after President Donald Trump defended Pruitt, writing on Twitter that he was doing “a great job.”
Sen. Mike Rounds, RS.D., also defended the EPA head. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to comment on Pruitt’s situation but said he was certain that president had reviewed it.
The sharpest Republican criticism came from Kennedy, who said Pruitt ought to hold a “full-blown press conference” to address the criticism he has received.
“Stop leading with your chin,” Kennedy said in an interview with CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “Now these are unforced errors. They are stupid. There are a lot of problems we can’t solve. But you can behave. I don’t mean to denigrate Mr. Pruitt, but doggone it, he represents the president of the United States, and it is hurting his boss and it needs to stop.”
Pruitt has come under the spotlight in recent weeks for decisions that have raised ethics questions. These include his $50-a-night rental from a lobbyist last year, large raises for two top advisers despite a lack of White House approval and a security detail that has required far more resources than his predecessors needed.
In an appearance on ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos,” Graham singled out reports about Pruitt’s rental. “The bottom line — this doesn’t look good,” he said.
Collins, the only Republican senator to vote against confirming Pruitt, said on CNN’s State of the Union: “This daily drip of accusations of excessive spending and ethical violations serve to further distract the agency from accomplishing its very important mission.”
On Saturday night, Trump issued a tweet stating: “While Security spending was somewhat more than his predecessor, Scott Pruitt has received death threats because of his bold actions at EPA. Record clean Air & Water while saving USA Billions of Dollars. Rent was about market rate, travel expenses OK. Scott is doing a great job!”