Senator Patty Murray's office issued the following yesterdday:
Senator Murray Statement on Strong Opposition to President Trump’s Nominee for Environmental Protection Agency Chief
“…like his predecessor
Scott Pruitt, unfortunately Mr. Wheeler has instead demonstrated an
unquestioning commitment to helping President Trump roll back vital
environmental protections and loosen rules for special interests in ways
that put our rivers, lakes, forests, crops, and more at risk”
Washington, D.C. –
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement
after voting no on a procedural vote to advance the nomination of
Andrew Wheeler to be the next head of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Wheeler, who has questioned the impact of greenhouse gas
emissions on climate change, is President Trump’s pick to replace Scott
Pruitt, who resigned from the Trump administration last summer amid a
slew of ethics scandals.
“As if his years lobbying for Big
Coal aren’t enough, during his time as Acting EPA Administrator Andrew
Wheeler has bolstered his reputation as a champion for the nation’s
wealthiest people and biggest corporations and, even more concerning,
proven his loyalty to President Trump by advancing the president’s
anti-environment, pro-special interest agenda that attempts to chip away
at our bedrock environmental laws and jeopardize public health for
millions of Americans.
“It’s no secret how important the
environment is to Washington state’s economy and our way of life—from
the iconic landscapes of our coasts and mountain ranges, to the health
of our water, air, and other natural resources—and families in our state
should have the utmost confidence in their government’s commitment to
protecting the environment for their health and for future generations.
However, like his predecessor Scott Pruitt, unfortunately Mr. Wheeler
has instead demonstrated an unquestioning commitment to helping
President Trump roll back vital environmental protections and loosen
rules for special interests in ways that put our rivers, lakes, forests,
crops, and more at risk.
“I urge Republicans to join me in
voting no on Mr. Wheeler’ confirmation, and I urge people in Washington
state and around the country to raise their voices against President
Trump’s extreme nominee and in support of our values, our health, and
our future.”