As much of the energy in Washington is focused on the fight over the president’s border wall and impact of the partial government shutdown, President Donald Trump’s nominee to take over the federal agency charged with protecting human health and the environment is scheduled for a crucial hearing.
Andrew Wheeler took over the helm of Environmental Protection Agency in July after Scott Pruitt, the previous administrator, resigned amid increasing ethical questions and controversy. Wheeler had previously been confirmed as deputy administrator in April.
Wheeler has been working as acting administrator for several months and Trump nominated him to officially take over the post earlier this month.
“There is no more important responsibility than protecting human health and the environment. It is a responsibility I take very seriously,” he said in his opening statement. “Since becoming acting administrator, I have focused our efforts on providing greater certainty to the American public: certainty in our EPA programs; certainty to the states, tribes, and local governments; and certainty on how we communicate risk.”
But Democrats on the committee, led by Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, are concerned that the nomination is being rushed during the government shutdown even though Wheeler could continue to work in an acting capacity for much of the year.
“I do not believe that giving the acting administrator a speedy promotion is more urgent and more important than protecting the public from contamination to our air and water and lands. Our priority should be reopening @EPA and the other closed federal agencies,” Carper said in his opening statement.
A protestor stood up as Wheeler began his remarks to “object” the hearing was being held during the shutdown. More could be heard in the hallway outside the hearing room changing “shut down Wheeler, not the EPA.”
Democrats also will likely ask about Wheeler’s connections to companies he represented as a lobbyist.
Democrats on the committee, led by Ranking Member Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, have have raised concerns that EPA employees are struggling without pay during the shutdown and that important environmental enforcement is on hold while they’re not at work. Carper has also raised concerns that Republicans are trying to rush the nomination by having the hearing during the shutdown.
Public health and environmental advocacy groups have also raised concerns that Wheeler, like Pruitt, will continue to roll back environmental regulations including rules intended to prevent emissions of mercury and other toxic substances from power plants.
