Scott Pruitt in 2022 OK Senate race

On Abortion: Claimed abortion linked to breast cancer & infertility

In the state Senate, he sponsored legislation to restrict abortion, including an "informed consent" bill. "[Women] need to know that there's a link with breast cancer," Pruitt said in 2003. "They need to know that there's a risk with infertility; they need to know that there are emotional risks attendant with abortion procedures." Leading medical groups say all of those claims are either false or misleading. Source: National Public Radio on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race May 1, 2018

On Drugs: Thought EPA logo looked like marijuana leaf; wanted change

After taking charge of the Environmental Protection Agency, administrator Scott Pruitt reportedly wanted to change the agency's logo because it reminded him of a marijuana leaf, The New York Times reported. The logo features a blue and green abstract image that resembles a flower with four leaves. Source: Business Insider on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race Apr 11, 2018

On Energy & Oil: Staunch advocate for continued use of fossil fuels

Like Trump, Pruitt was a staunch advocate for the continued use of coal and other fossil fuels, voiced skepticism about mainstream climate science and was a fierce critic of the Paris climate agreement. Trump cheered Pruitt's moves to expand fossil fuel production and roll back regulations opposed by corporate interests. After leaving the agency, Pruitt registered as an energy lobbyist in Indiana. Source: The Guardian on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race Apr 15, 2022

On Environment: As state AG sued to block Obama's Clean Power Plan

The EPA, under Obama's administration, had set a number of health milestones attainable by 2030--if the Clean Power Plan were implemented. Pruitt argued that Trump was "keeping a promise to the American people to roll back regulatory overreach." He noted that the Clean Power Plan was subject to a stay by the Supreme Court; he did not mention that he, as former Oklahoma attorney general, was one of several Republicans who had originally filed the lawsuit against Obama's regulations. Source: Washington Post on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race Apr 3, 2017

On Principles & Values: Resigned from EPA in 2018 amid several ethics scandals

Pruitt stepped down as EPA administrator in 2018 amid a wave of ethics scandals, including living in a bargain-priced Capitol Hill condo tied to an energy lobbyist. He faced ethics investigations into pricey trips with first-class airline seats and unusual security spending, including a $43,000 soundproof booth for making private phone calls. He demanded 24-hour-a-day protection from armed officers, resulting in a 20-member security detail that racked up expenses of more than $3m. Source: The Guardian on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race Apr 15, 2022

On Principles & Values: A Christian worldview means God has answers to our problems

Pruitt is a former trustee with the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and he says his faith forms the foundation of his politics. "A Christian worldview means that God has answers to our problems," said Pruitt, according to the seminary's website. "And part of our responsibility is to convey to those in society that the answers that he has, as represented in Scripture, are important and should be followed, because they lead to freedom and liberty." Source: National Public Radio on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race May 1, 2018

On Principles & Values: Fought removing 10 Commandments display from state Capitol

When Pruitt became Oklahoma's attorney general after the 2010 election, he continued to pursue many of these priorities. He fought a move by Oklahoma's Supreme Court to remove a public display of the Ten Commandments at the state Capitol, and he joined a lawsuit against the federal government over the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate. Source: National Public Radio on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race May 1, 2018

The above quotations are from 2022 Oklahoma Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts from 2022 Oklahoma Senate race: debates and news coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Scott Pruitt. Click here for a profile of Scott Pruitt.
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Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles Social Security Tax Reform Technology War/Peace Welfare
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Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023