NCC Applauds Scott Pruitt Confirmation

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council is pleased that the Senate confirmed the nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the new EPA Administrator.

Pruitt was sworn in soon after that 52 to 46 confirmation vote earlier today. While he lost one Republican vote, Democratic Sens. Heitkamp (ND) and Manchin (WV) supported his confirmation‎.

NCC Chairman Ronnie Lee, a Bronwood, Ga., cotton producer said, "I look forward to the day very soon that farmers can spend more time producing crops and less time worrying about how to comply with onerous, overly burdensome regulations and doing paperwork. The cotton industry looks forward to working with Administrator Pruitt as he leads EPA in a way to help ensure a safe and healthy environment alongside a strong and viable agricultural sector."

Lee noted that Pruitt has been a tireless critic of some of EPA's regulations and has promised to revamp the agency.

"We hope that President Trump and Administrator Pruitt act on the President's campaign promises regarding certain regulations, and ensure the agency is making decisions based on sound, peer- reviewed science rather than based on public opinions," Lee said.