WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today issued the following statement after comments surfaced by Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Al Almendariz, whose region includes Texas, in which he likened the EPA’s “philosophy of enforcement” for oil and gas producers to Roman crucifixion:

“The EPA has systematically targeted Texas through burdensome regulatory overreach, putting politics ahead of facts and due process. Now we know they intend to crucify energy producers in our state. It is time for the Obama Administration to get its boot off the neck of Texas job creators and either lead, follow, or just get out of the way.”

Senator Cornyn serves on the Finance, Judiciary, Armed Services, and Budget Committees. He serves as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee’s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee. He served previously as Texas Attorney General, Texas Supreme Court Justice, and Bexar County District Judge.