Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley accused the Trump administration Wednesday of “ignoring or abusing” the law through the Environmental Protection Agency’s continued use of biofuel waivers.
Grassley also reminded the administration in a press statement about his powerful position on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is responsible for considering judicial nominees. Grassley threatened to hold up President Donald Trump’s EPA nominees in 2017 over rumors the agency would reduce the RFS mandate.
“As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I … have concerns that EPA may be ignoring or abusing the Administrative Procedure Act as they continue to grant waivers in secret and refuse to respond to congressional oversight and public information requests regarding the practice,” he said in a statement.
Grassley has showed a willingness in the past to hold up judicial nominations. He hinted in 2017 at staying pat on Trump’s picks to run the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and the agency’s air office.
Trump, like most of his Republican opponents, campaigned during the presidential election on maintaining the standard as a sop to Iowa farmers dependent on the high-priced, corn-based fuel. Reports at the time indicated EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt was determined to slash RIN prices.
Pruitt was scouring for ways to drive down RIN prices to help the fossil fuel industry, oil industry sources suggested at the time.
Grassley is not the only senator unhappy with Trump’s recent moves. (RELATED: Flake Vows No Judge Confirmations Until Congress Votes On Trump’s Tariffs)
Outgoing Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake confirmed recently that he will block Trump’s judicial nominees to secure concessions on trade. Republicans hold 11 seats to the Democrats’ 10 on the Judicial Committee, making Flake and Grassley’s cooperation essential if GOP leaders hope to move nominees to the floor.
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