washington two democratic senators say wednesday may hold confirmation president donald trump environmental protection agency nominee susan bodine explain advisory role agency may violate federal law senators sheldon whitehouse rhode island jeff merkley oregon send list question bodine trump pick head epa office enforcement compliance assistance current role special counsel epa administrator scott pruitt wait confirmation process whitehouse merkley say advise pruitt enforcement matter confirm senate bodine may violate federal vacancies reform act prohibit nominees assume authorities office confirm congress appointment create appearance perhaps effect circumvent senate constitutional advice consent responsibility position nominate senators write mean subject epa enforcement action could potentially challenge validity action court role decisions deem improper say pruitt epa appointee confirm since trump take office january bodine still await full senate vote senate confirmation hear july four assistant administrator nominees set confirmation hear sept. 20. democratic lawmakers odds pruitt since narrow-margin confirmation february close tie industry doubt human-caused climate change plan drastic cut epa budget workforce ethics requirements political appointees senators also ask bodine involve recent epa decision enforce obama-era rule regulate methane leak new oil gas infrastructure case case basis rather fully enforce republican senator john barrasso wyoming chair senate environment committee say bodine get full senate vote immediately shame critical post assistant administrator charge lead enforcement epa remain unfilled barrasso say spokesman epa immediately available comment two democratic senators threaten hold trump epa nominee