Inhofe tells EPA nominee he’ll talk to her ‘daddy’ if she does not ‘behave’

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) told an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nominee, Radhika Fox, on Wednesday that if she did not “behave” he would “talk to your daddy.”

According to a CNN report, Inhofe made the remarks while Fox was answering a question regarding changes the Trump administration made to the Obama-era Waters of the United States rule. As Fox was speaking, Inhofe interrupted her and said he needed to use his remaining time to question two other Biden nominees who were at the hearing.

“I appreciate your comments particularly in your opening statement, I enjoyed that,” Inhofe said to her. “And so I will look forward to working with you.”

“And if you don’t behave, I’m going to talk to your daddy,” the Oklahoma senator added, to which Fox laughed.

Inhofe communication director Leacy Burke told CNN that the comments were in reference to Fox discussing her father during her opening remarks.

Inhofe tells EPA nominee, ‘if you don’t behave, I’m going to talk to your daddy’ https://t.co/Mh5p0U0iWV

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“Sen. Inhofe is always moved by the family stories of nominees, and was especially touched by Ms. Fox’s tribute to her father during the opening remarks,” Burke told the outlet.

“He made a lighthearted joke at the end of his questioning to recognize her father again since he was present for the hearing,” Burke added. “As he said in the hearing, Inhofe looks forward to working with Ms. Fox once she is confirmed.”

CNN notes that Fox, the former CEO of the US Water Alliance, thanked her parents during her opening remarks, turning to her father who was seated behind her.

“Everything I have accomplished is because I stand on the shoulders of my parents’ hard work,” Fox said. She noted that if she is confirmed, she would be the first woman of color and first Asian American nominated to lead the EPA’s Office of Water.