The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 14-to-six Tuesday to approve the nomination of Michael Regan to serve as EPA Administrator.
Four Republicans — Sens. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Dan Sullivan of Alaska — joining the panel's 10 Democrats in support.
The six Republicans voting no — Sens. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia, James Inhofe of Oklahoma, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Richard Shelby of Alabama, John Boozman of Arkansas, and Joni Ernst of Iowa — indicated their vote was not so much against Regan as against the Biden administration's climate policies.
“As an individual he is exactly the sort of person that I would like to see leading a federal agency but unfortunately officials in place at the White House and at the EPA have already set the agenda before he even achieves the office,” ranking member Capito said. “It is unclear whether Secretary Regan, if confirmed, would have any authority to stop the regulatory march towards the Green New Deal. Without clear commitments to oppose some policies that would economically devastate my state, I cannot support him.”
It is not yet clear when his nomination will be taken up by the full Senate, but he is expected to be approved by the chamber to take the top EPA post.