<P> During his January 18 confirmation hearing, Pruitt's testimony openly acknowledged climate change . Pruitt declared the EPA has a "very important role" in regulating carbon dioxide emissions . Pruitt has sued the Environmental Protection Agency as the Attorney General of Oklahoma on more than a dozen occasions . When pressed by Senator Ed Markey on whether he would recuse himself from ongoing lawsuits, Pruitt "would not commit to recusing himself from all the cases he had brought ." Pruitt deflected questioning from Senator Bernie Sanders (I - Vt .) on the issue of whether human activity is largely responsible for climate change . Stating, "I believe the ability to measure, with precision, the degree of human activity's impact on the climate is subject to more debate on whether the climate is changing or whether human activity contributes to it ." Pruitt declined to comment on whether California could set its own emission standards and said he would review the policy . Prior to Pruitt's confirmation, the acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency was Catherine McCabe . </P> <P> The nomination of an Administrator - designate is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and then presented to the full Senate for a vote . </P> <P> On December 7, 2016 Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. and Senate nominee, was selected to be the head of the Small Business Administration . McMahon was confirmed by a Senate vote of 81--19 on February 14, 2017 . Marianne Markowitz served as acting administrator prior to McMahon's confirmation . </P> <P> McMahon earned approval votes from Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy from Connecticut; they defeated McMahon in their respective Senate races . Senator Jim Risch (R - Idaho), chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship, said, "Mrs. McMahon made it very clear that she has the experience, understanding and instincts necessary to bolster America's small business community and advocate for much - needed regulatory reforms ." </P>

Compared to an early presidents cabinet the size and impact of a modern presidents cabinet has