GOP senator blocking Obama's EPA nominee

Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., is placing a hold on President Obama's pick to run the Environmental Protecton Agency, the Missouri Republican announced this evening, posing the potential for a delayed vote in the full Senate.

Blunt said his hold on a confirmation vote for Gina McCarthy - currently the assistant administrator at the EPA office of air and radiation - will remain in place until the White House makes known its timeline for releasing a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project in Southeast Missouri.

With Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Blunt last month organized an in-person meeting between the EPA, U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Fish and Wildlife Service to resolve disagreements that have delayed a decision on the project, which proposes installing puping stations and closing a 1,500-foot gap in the Mississippi River levee system. He said the agency representatives failed to provide a progress report by their own March 15 deadline.

"Once again, the government is arguing with the government while nothing is accomplished," said Blunt. "These agencies missed their own self-imposed deadline, which is entirely unacceptable."

Before making it to the floor for a vote, McCarthy still has to clear the Environment and Public Works committee, which has not yet scheduled a date for her confirmation hearing.

[me_nz]

Awesome hold the government to ransom till you get your way over a small local issue. This is not democracy this is idiocy in action. This is becoz the GOP is a 1 trick phoney. The only word they know is NO. A true GOP stalwartin action As in stall everything, block everything, delay everything for as long as you can then sit back and blame the otherside for the mess that results.

[me_nz]

I have you moron try reading it 4 yourself let me help you "Blunt said his hold on a confirmation vote for Gina McCarthy - currently the assistant administrator at the EPA office of air and radiation - will remain in place until the White House makes known its timeline for releasing a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway Project in Southeast Missouri."

[Graz65]

It amazes me that these people are holding up the nominations of the people that could actually help correct the issues that they claim to have concerns about. It's gone from being posturing or even having a temper-tantrum to just plain stopping everything they possibly can while things need to get done. If you are okay with this type of behavior from any public official, then you don't care about the country, you only care about your political party.

[TJphoto]

The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Albert Einstein
If Stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?
Will Rogers

[Ben37221]

What have the GOP become? Another display of absolute stupidity at the expense of the nations interest. Sad!

[KPeters_from_UK]

My God they just can not stop themselves. The GOP is continuing its downward spiral.

I want to scream for them to stop and get on with helping the country but then there is a part of me who is gleefully aware that these shenanigans are only hurting the GOP.

[Lindag20]

More posturing by the Republicans. They look more and more like 2 year olds throwing temper tantrums.

[omnibus66]

They still haven't figured out why they lost the election, have they?

[antoniof123]

Enough is enough this is going to stop in 2014 GOP it is not going to be a pretty picture for you.

[bobnjersey]

["Once again, the government is arguing with the government while nothing is accomplished," said Blunt. "These agencies missed their own self-imposed deadline, which is entirely unacceptable."]
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yeah ... but a single digit approval rating is?

[rzarc2]

Another hold on an Obama appointee? Why don't these Senators do like Paul did with his actual filibuster. I don't think much of Paul in general but I do respect his filibuster in person rather then just holding up Washington and going home as most, no all, Senators have done.