Acting Environmental Protection Agency Administrator for Air and Radiation Janet McCabe was once again in the hot seat again Wednesday in front of a subcommittee of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce – and things got heated indeed. The hearing, held by the Energy and Power Subcommittee to review the impact on the energy and industrial sectors of the EPA’s regulatory activity during the Obama administration, fell into disorder after a heated exchange between McCabe and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio).
Johnson, after inquiring about EPA’s process for considering the economic impacts of its regulations, launched into a lengthy and somewhat jumbled monologue. The congressman compared the EPA and its regulations to a movie theater, stating that running a business in the U.S. is similar buying a movie ticket only to find out that popcorn and soda are not included in the price, “it’s a rip off of the America people.”
The congressman concluded his impassioned speech by stating to McCabe, “I think it’s absurd. I think it’s irresponsible. Quite honestly, Ms. McCabe I think it’s un-American. You obviously don’t have a concern, and your department doesn’t have a concern, for the economic well-being of the very people that create jobs in this country.”
The two then launched into a back-and-forth regarding the agency’s involvement with the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, which provides independent advice to the EPA administrator on the technical bases for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). It is worth noting that the EPA’s carbon emissions standards for existing coal-fired power plants, which were a central topic of the hearing, do not fall under NAAQS.
Johnson demanded to know if the EPA had consulted CASAC on the “adverse effects of implementing air quality standards.” He then cut off McCabe several times as she tried to give a detailed answer, demanding simply a yes or no response. “That’s why I don’t let you ramble on, because you try to deflect the answer to something that you want to talk about instead of what the American people are concerned about: why you’re not doing your job and why you’re not considering the implications of the rules that you’re putting out.”
McCabe, though interrupted, tried to respond that the EPA has working with CASAC, though not in the specific case Johnson asked about. She was not allowed to state why.
Unsurprisingly, the subcommittee members on the left were not impressed with Johnson’s treatment of McCabe. “I’m a little taken aback by the hostility that I hear in this room. I just want you to know that there are many of us who approve of the work that the EPA does,” Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) said, before being asked to suspend his time so Johnson could respond to his comment
Johnson defended his treatment of McCabe without outright denying being hostile toward her. “I find it absurd that we would be challenged on an air of hostility when we are doing what the American people require us and request us to do, which is to hold the EPA accountable. If we’re not going to do it, then who is going to do it?” he said.
The session eventual devolved into a challenge between Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) and Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) regarding the management of the hearing and the treatment of the witness. “There is no place in this hearing for a witness, be it from the EPA or whatever governmental agency … to be called un-American,” Rush stated.
“There are very strong feelings on this issue because many people … believe that EPA is exceeding its legal authority under the direction of a president who is trying to impose his will on climate change around the world,” Whitfield said.
The hearing eventually fell back into regular order before another congressman, Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), made what Rush perceived to be a personal attack against McCabe after also interrupting her answers. “You need to understand the industry. You have never worked in the industry. You have worked against the industry from day one,” he said to the assistant administrator in a raised voice.
“I respect the prerogatives of every member of this committee, every member of the House. I respect the witnesses, Mr. Chairman. If they’re asked a question, then they should have some reasonable assurance that they are going to be able to answer the questions that they are asked,” Rush said to Whitfield. “This hearing is getting way out of hand, and you have some responsibility.”
Whitfield denied that the hearing was out of hand.
Providing some comic relief during an otherwise tense hearing, largely focused on rehashing arguments for and against EPA regulations that have been heard many times already, Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) closed his period for questions by saying he would feel left out if he didn’t get to raise his voice. “I want to thank you for being here, and I yield back,” Long yelled loudly, inciting laughter throughout the hearing room.
