WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) stated at a hearing that he would work with the committee to issue a subpoena to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy to compel her attendance at a SCIA field hearing in Arizona on “Examining EPA’s Unacceptable Response to Indian Tribes.”
The field hearing is scheduled to take place in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 22, 2016.
A representative from the EPA was invited to provide testimony at the field hearing, and the invitation was declined. Notice of the field hearing was issued on March 28, 2016. The request for the subpoena was made by Senator John McCain (R-AZ).
At the hearing McCain said “It is my understanding that the EPA has decided not to send a representative to this field hearing. The EPA’s response is unacceptable. It is a violation of our obligation to protect the interests of Native Americans and their tribes and EPA must be present at this hearing. I respectfully request that the committee issue a subpoena for EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy to appear at the field hearing scheduled for April 22, 2016 in Phoenix, Arizona.”
Chairman Barrasso agreed to the request by stating “Senator McCain, you are correct: The EPA has declined to send anyone to the field hearing. The field hearing you referred to was requested by you on behalf of the Navajo Nation and it is a top priority of this committee. This is not a partisan issue, it is a Native American issue and I will work with you and others on this committee to issue a subpoena for Administrator Gina McCarthy to appear. She is the one in charge at the EPA. The Senate has confirmed her nomination with the understanding that the EPA would be responsive to Congress, and this is not being responsive.”
Click here to watch the full exchange.
###