41 GOP Senators means nothing happens at EPA — starting with confirmation of political appointees — without GOP approval.
Politico reports:
No major action on climate is likely until after the Senate confirms McCarthy. But she’s run into a brick wall among Republicans, who stalled a committee vote on her nomination and may filibuster her on the floor.
McCarthy’s woes have had “a chilling effect on the administration’s desire to go forward on bold actions,” the Sierra Club’s Melinda Pierce said. “They don’t want to be lighting a fire out there before Gina is confirmed.”
Even if McCarthy makes it, the agency will still be short on Senate-confirmed leaders for its air and general counsel offices, among others, which many agency-watchers say could hamper progress on new regulations.
McCarthy should be questioned closely on measurable, not hypothetical, effects of CO2 on climate or any climatological phenomenon. The answer, as best I can find, is “none.” Therefore, any and all attempts to regulate CO2 are misguided. There are plenty of legitimate environmental issues that need addressing, but CO2 is emphatically NOT one of them. It is fine to keep on studying to see if we can find some effects, but anyone who wants to regulate CO2 right now is unqualified for this post.
“could hamper progress on new regulations.” When ‘progress’ = ‘new regulations’, the system is broken.
We need more regulations to drive more businesses out of the country.