Thread by @JustinWingerter

Scott Pruitt has arrived at @HouseCommerce's Environment Subcommittee for his first of two congressional hearings. Chairman Shimkus begins with praise for Pruitt's work on Superfund and other matters. "Much of" press coverage is a distraction but can't be ignored, he says.

Rep. Tonko, the subcommittee's top Democrat, says Trump's proposed cuts at EPA will allow polluters to set the agenda. (Ostensibly, the hearing is about EPA's budget). "No regard for scientific evidence" at Pruitt's EPA, he says. Pruitt is "a frequent subject of investigation."

Tonko says he's concerned the EPA inspector general won't have significant funds to investigate Pruitt's "seemingly endless misconduct." He tells Pruitt he has failed as a steward of taxpayer funds and the environment and has failed to show contrition.

Rep. Walden, R-Oregon, tells Pruitt he expects Pruitt to answer fully today. "These issues are too persistent to ignore." Walden wants all information the EPA inspector general has. Then, like other Republicans, he praises Pruitt's policy changes, says scandals are a distraction.

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-New Jersey, says Pruitt would "be long gone" in any other administration. He's reading off critical comments by former EPA administrators and tells Pruitt he doesn't believe in the EPA's mission. "So much for draining the swamp."

Pallone has requested that Pruitt be placed under oath for this hearing due to "outrageous ethical abuses." That request was denied because lying to Congress is already against the law. "You are unfit to hold public office," Pallone tells Pruitt. "You really should resign."

Pruitt is up now. He begins with a rundown of his policy changes. "Transformation change is happening" on deregulation.

"There have been very troubling media reports," Pruitt tells Congress. "I have nothing to hide," he says.

"Lies don't become truth just because they're on the front page of the newspaper." He says there are a lot of half-truths and spin from his political opponents. If that's a hint of what's to come, don't expect much contrition from Pruitt today.

Chairman Shimkus asks Pruitt to address scandals. Pruitt: I want to address each and work with Congress. "Those have been a distraction to our agenda...and that troubles me." But he doesn't address the specific scandals.

Rep. Tonko is asking about the raises for two former Oklahoma employees of his. Did you authorize Ryan Jackson to sign those documents? Pruitt: Those were designated to Mr. Jackson. Tonko: Yes or no? Pruitt seems to indicate yes, he designated that power but not the amount.

Tonko says Pruitt either knew about the raises or is ignorant of what is happening at his agency. Tonko is frustrated that Pruitt isn't answering his yes or no questions with a yes or no. "I'll take that as a yes," he says as Pruitt gives a lengthy answer.

Tonko: Should the public trust your judgement? You're picking winners and losers. There's a hypocritical outcome. Pruitt says he's increased transparency.

Rep. Walden: Will you commit EPA will provide the subcommittee all documents you're giving to the inspector general related to investigations? Pruitt: Yes.

Walden: Are we going to get science everyone can see? Pruitt: Yes. Will publish data and methodology and conclusions now.

We're back into policy questions. So far, the trend is wonky policy questions from Republicans, scandal questions from Democrats. I would expect that to continue.

Rep. Pallone: "I think your actions embarrass President Trump." If I was president, I would get rid of you.

Pallone: Yes or no, did you retaliate against EPA employees?
Pruitt: I don't recall ever having a conversation -
Pallone: I'll take that as a yes...you're not answering yes or no.
Pallone is now talking about this @EricLiptonNYT story.
nytimes.com/2017/10/21/us/…

Pallone invited the brother of a man who died using a chemical which Pruitt ended the ban on. Pallone asks if he knew about this. Pruitt gives a lengthy answer, gets cut off. Pallone: "Your deregulation agenda costs lives."

Rep. Barton, R-Texas, calls Pruitt a victim "of Washington politics" for fighting "radical" Obama-era policies. People are attacking Pruitt because they can't debate his policies, Barton says. He asks if housing costs were reviewed by ethics staff. Pruitt: Yes, two ethics reviews

Barton asks if flying first-class is illegal.
Pruitt: "It is not."
Barton: "It may look bad but it's not illegal."
...
Barton: "Have you ever rented a party jet."
Pruitt: "No, congressman."

Rep. Ruiz, D-California, says Pruitt has helped wealthy friends at the expense of the public. He accuses Pruitt of excluding important studies. "You have dismantled protections for public health." There were few questions in his five minutes of questioning.

Rep. McKinley, R-West Virginia: "Innuendo and McCarthyism" are on display in attacks on Pruitt. "I thank you for what you've done," he tells Pruitt. McKinley says he would like to discuss policy today but Democrats can't avoid the limelight and an opportunity to grandstand.

Rep. Peters, D-California, asks about Albert Kelly, the former Tulsa banker running Superfund. Peters asks Pruitt if he's stopping Kelly from talking about banking ban. Pruitt says he's not and recommends Kelly talk about that if he wants to.

Peters is asking about various employees with apparent conflicts of interest. Pruitt defends the hires and doesn't answer if they create the appearance of bias.

Peters: Will you produce Kelly speaking before the committee?
Pruitt: I would encourage him to do so.

Rep. Blackburn, R-Tennessee, is asking about the Waters of the U.S. rule, continuing the trend of Democrats asking about scandals and media reports, Republicans asking about EPA policies. Pruitt says a replacement for WOTUS will be unveiled next month.

Rep. Gene Green, D-Texas, asks about a Superfund site. Pruitt praises EPA Region 6 in Dallas (which also has jurisdiction over Oklahoma). Now a question about ethanol. This is the first bit of friendly, policy-based questioning from a Democrat so far.

Rep. Olson, R-Texas, says he wishes Pruitt was appearing under better circumstances. Issues are between Pruitt and Trump, and can't be fixed by Congress, he says. He thanks Pruitt for Superfund work. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for that."

Rep. DeGette, D-Colorado, asks about the soundproof booth. Did you know it violated an appropriations law? Yes or no?
Pruitt starts to answer
DeGette: "You're not going to answer that question."
Degette: Did you know it violated the law?
Pruitt: "I did not."

DeGette asks if Pruitt or his staff will be subject to civil penalties.
Pruitt says that investigation is ongoing.

DeGette asks about the Oklahoma City condo. Pruitt: "It was not a shell company." DeGette: Did you pay taxes on that income? Pruitt: That was given to my accountant

Rep. Johnson, R-Ohio: "It's shameful" that today's hearing "has turned into a personal attack hearing" to denigrate the EPA's work.

Rep. McNerney, D-California: "It seems deep pockets are a prerequisite to getting a meeting with your office." He accuses Pruitt of pay-for-play. He's asking whether specific EPA actions were the result of meetings. Pruitt denies.

Rep. Cardenas asks about the soundproof booth. Pruitt says of the cost, "If I had known about it, I would have refused it." He blames "career employees" at the EPA for that purchase and says he didn't know of its cost.

Rep. Cardenas asks about reports that Pruitt reassigned investigators at the Oklahoma attorney general's office to be his driver.

Pruitt: "I'm not aware of what you're referring to, congressman."

Awkward, out-of-context quote from Rep. Walberg: "I would be thrilled to stand on the banks of Lake Erie with you!"

Rep. Harper, R-Mississippi, says, “It appears it’s become a political bloodsport to try to destroy anybody associated with the Trump administration.” He then asks about reports of retaliation. Pruitt: "There's no truth" to claims retaliation as a result of travel criticisms.

"Absolutely," Pruitt says after Harper asks if whistleblower complaints are taken seriously and will be taken seriously at the EPA.

Rep. Eshoo asks Pruitt, “Do you have any remorse for the excessive spending?”

Pruitt: "I echo your comments" about importance of public trust.

Eshoo: "Do you have any remorse?"

Pruitt: "I think the changes I've made already..."

Eshoo: "Sir, you're not going to out-talk me."

Eshoo: "Are you reimbursing taxpayers" for first-class travel?

Pruitt: All EPA travel was approved.

Eshoo: "I may be elected but I'm not a fool. That's really a lousy answer."

'I have nothing to hide' Pruitt tells Congress as he faces ethics controversies newsok.com/i-have-nothing…

Rep. Castor, D-Fla: "Your pattern of unethical conduct and conflicts of interest are now very well known but I'm very troubled today by your failure to take personal responsibility for your actions. You simply dismissed all of the ethical lapses...as troubling media reports."

Rep. Welch, D-Vermont: "It's like there's something on your desk that says 'The Buck Stops Nowhere.'" Welch is asking about the large security detail and the $43,000 phone booth. Pruitt again says the phone booth was too expensive. Pruitt: "In this case, the process failed."

"I gave direction to my staff to address that and out of that came a $43,000 expenditure that I did not approve."

Pruitt addresses the soundproof booth, staffer raises, and other ethics controversies in hours of questioning from House members. newsok.com/i-have-nothing…