Int. Secretary "Visibly Shaking And Combative" During Senate Testimony On Gutting Bird Protections
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, visibly shaking and combative during a Senate hearing Wednesday, defended the Interior Department’s plan to re-interpret the Migratory Bird Treaty Act so that oil companies would not be fined for killing birds due to oil spills.
Sparring with Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernhardt said during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee budget hearing that Interior will proceed with the reinterpretation regardless of objections from Congress. The proposed rule codifies a 2017 Interior solicitor’s opinion that said only intentional killings can be prosecuted under the MBTA.
Van Hollen said the reinterpretation of the MBTA would have made it impossible for BP to have been fined $100 million for bird deaths resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. “Isn’t that true?” Van Hollen asked Bernhardt. “I’d have to go back and look at that particular settlement agreement,” Bernhardt said. “I wasn’t here when it was done.”
Van Hollen responded: “So you don’t know the answers to whether or not the changes you’re suggesting ... " “With respect,” Bernhardt said, cutting Van Hollen off. “Last year you came here, and I told you very clearly I would love to work with you on legislation if you wanted to go that route. I’ve waited a year and not received a single phone call. House members have proposed legislation.” “Mr. Secretary, I thought we were going to hear from you. I’ve raised this repeatedly,” Van Hollen said, as the two talked over each other.
EDIT
https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/bernhardt-defends-bird-treaty-rule-amid-verbal-combat-in-senate
= new reply since forum marked as read
A "visibly shaking" Trump appointee.
