House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s decision to withdraw Rebecca Wodder’s nomination for Interior Department Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks:

“From the very beginning there were serious concerns and questions raised about this failed nominee’s previous employment and ability to adequately represent broader interests at the federal level. As the head of American Rivers, a special interest group focused on litigating against the federal government and removing economically important infrastructure, she advocated for policies that would be detrimental to jobs, our economy and the livelihood of rural Americans. This Assistant Secretary position will have direct influence on regulations impacting private lands, water rights, energy projects and other infrastructure and should be filled by someone who will be able to take a balanced, impartial approach.”

Background

Last July, Chairman Hastings and 38 House Republicans sent a letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Environment & Public Works and Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committees raising questions over Ms. Wodder’s nomination as Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks at the Department of the Interior (DOI).

Several independent groups also sent letters in opposition to Ms. Wodder’s confirmation, including:

• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
• Tri-City (WA) Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Association of Washington Business
• Franklin PUD electric utility company (WA)
• A coalition of 19 Pacific Northwest farm, utility, port and navigation, food and forest product groups and other businesses in the Northwest

###

Printable PDF of this document