Last Tuesday, after four months of delay and a threatening filibuster, leading senators announced their plan to vote on the presidentially appointed Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Gina McCarthy.

A four-month wait to approve a director for this crucial executive agency is irresponsible and immature. The reckless behavior displayed by members of Congress shows a heightened level of childishness throughout American politics. Instead of inaction, Congress should work to better the agency for the good of the nation.

Since Lisa Jackson stepped down in February, the post remains vacant. It is unheard of and outrageous that an agency keeping us — and our environment — safe could be without a leader for four months.

President Barack Obama nominated McCarthy on March 4, yet the vote has been postponed due to the agency’s agenda and political motives.

Many senators refused to vote on the matter until the agency increased its transparency throughout governmental business. Last winter, it was discovered that Jackson,had been using an alias to conduct an unknown amount of agency work.

Though the use of an alias and excessive secrecy should not be condoned, refusing to vote on a new leader of the agency for an extended period does not improve the situation.

The EPA was established to protect the health and environment of the American people. Without a leader, advances in environmental health — if they ever happen — will be hindered.

Other senators were rumored to have blocked the decision due to personal projects. There are conflicting reports about how true this is. Whatever the severity of the issue, refusing to vote due to personal “pet projects” is juvenile.

This immaturity does nothing to help us.

While the senators might have valid concerns, there are other ways to voice these opinions without delaying voting that might lead to positive action for the EPA and the United States.

The cause of the delays does not only lie in Congress, but also represents a schism between our branches of government. The executive and legislative branches need to work cohesively, and we must express our need for a higher standard of government.

Procedural changes throughout the agency should be devised to increase transparency.

Though the inaction of government leaders share much of the blame, this predicament is also caused by the lack of involvement from everyday citizens. It is our duty to make our voices heard by our representatives. Take the time to tell our government you care.

We deserve a leader who will champion us through the tough times ahead — with global temperatures rising and ever-more environmental crises.

With that, we must speak against the government’s ineptitude regarding this matter. The incompetence is unbelievable, yet real, and needs to be dealt with promptly.

Meg Callaghan is a senior environmental studies major and writing minor at SUNY-ESF. Her column appears weekly. She can be reached at mlcallag@syr.edu.

Published on July 16, 2013 at 11:17 am