Ranking Member Cantwell Statement on Release of "Sharpiegate" Inspector General Report

Statement

In light of today's release of the Department of Commerce Inspector General report, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of Neil Jacobs to be Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

"NOAA's work is crucial to protecting American lives and creating and supporting jobs in our ocean economy, which is why leaders of a scientific agency like NOAA must hold themselves, and their agency, to the highest scientific integrity standard. Unfortunately, the report released today makes it crystal clear Neil Jacobs is not that leader, and he failed to protect scientists from political influence. Therefore, I oppose Neil Jacobs' nomination to be the Administrator of NOAA, and I urge my colleagues to join me."

Senator Cantwell has demanded full transparency from the Trump Administration in regards to the "Sharpiegate" investigation, calling last Wednesday for "that full, unredacted report to be made public immediately." On Thursday, in response to IG Gustafson's memo, Cantwell said, "This situation has gone from bad to worse. Secretary Ross must immediately cease this campaign to keep the public in the dark. The Inspector General is doing their job and the public deserves to see the report. Release the report now, Mr. Secretary."

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