Last week the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee favorably reported the nomination of Jessica Kramer to serve as EPA’s Assistant Administrator leading the Office of Water. The panel advanced Kramer’s nomination to the full Senate on a bipartisan 15-4 vote.
The committee’s favorable vote came just weeks after Kramer’s nomination hearing, following President Trump’s nomination of her to the position in February. AMWA expressed its support for Kramer’s nomination in March.
“[Kramer] is exceptionally qualified to now lead EPA’s Office of Water,” EPW Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said last week prior to the committee’s vote. Those sentiments were echoed by EPW Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), who said she “demonstrated that she is qualified for the role,” and “has a clear understanding of the Clean Water Act and other relevant laws and regulations.”
The four committee Democrats who voted against advancing the nomination – Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (Del.), Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.), Sen. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) – did not share their rationale during the hearing.
Kramer’s nomination will now go before the full Senate, where a majority vote will be required for her to be confirmed for the role. Senate leaders have not yet indicated an anticipated timeframe for holding the vote.