The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Oct. 10, 2025, voted 10-9 to favorably report Usha Maria Turner of Oklahoma to be assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of International and Tribal Affairs.

Chair Shelley Moore Capito moved to report Turner’s nomination favorably, saying Turner’s “experience in Energy and Environmental Regulatory Affairs makes her well prepared to represent the EPA around the world and with our tribal partners.” The committee’s roll call recorded 10 yeas and 9 nays and the nomination was sent to the full Senate for consideration.

Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse opposed the nomination on policy grounds, saying, “This administration has turned EPA's mission from protecting public health and the environment to protecting the pockets and interests of fossil fuel companies.” Whitehouse said Turner “comes directly from a fossil fuel company” and referenced meetings at Mar-a-Lago that he said shaped the administration’s direction at EPA; he said he would vote no and urged colleagues to do the same.

Capito encouraged members to support the nomination and the other committee business on the agenda. The committee’s formal action was the roll-call vote to report the nomination favorably; Whitehouse’s objections were recorded in the meeting transcript and in committee remarks.

Turner’s nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration.