Congress should move to confirm EPA administrator

By Jennifer Rennicks · Asheville Citizen Times

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Jennifer Rennicks, an Asheville mother, writes an op-ed urging Congress to confirm Gina McCarthy as EPA administrator. She argues that pollution from fossil fuels worsens her daughter's asthma and that strong pollution standards are needed to protect children's health. The piece criticizes Senate Republicans for boycotting McCarthy's confirmation hearing.

We need leaders like Gina McCarthy to implement and enforce those standards
Jennifer Rennicks

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Congress should move to confirm EPA administrator

May 10, 2013 2:11 PM | 0 Comments

Written by Jennifer Rennicks, Asheville

April showers bring May flowers, which sometimes trigger allergies and asthma attacks. If pollen was the only factor, my daughter might not struggle with asthma.

However, pollution from burning fossil fuels also worsens allergies, contributing to asthma attacks. Mothers like myself look to our government and the Environmental Protection Agency to protect our children by limiting pollution exposure and keeping our families safe.

But today, elected leaders let us down. Republicans on the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee turned their backs on mothers and their children when they boycotted a confirmation hearing for Gina McCarthy to become EPA administrator.

McCarthy has a solid record of protecting our nation's air and water and she answered more than 1,000 questions during her nomination process. As a mother, I have an emotional investment in this country's future and I believe we need strong pollution standards to continue improving air quality. We need leaders like Gina McCarthy to implement and enforce those standards. What would be the perfect gift for mothers this Mother's Day? I'd like the gift of a clean air future for both of my children so I'd like Congress to confirm Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator this month.

Jennifer Rennicks, Asheville