Carper Statement on Wheeler Nomination to be EPA Administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Andrew Wheeler to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Since the day Mr. Wheeler was tapped to serve as EPA acting administrator, and repeatedly since then, I have asked Mr. Wheeler to correct course at EPA and embrace a short list of important policies that are both good for the environment and for our economy. He has chosen not to do so.

“Like many, I hoped that Mr. Wheeler would moderate some of former administrator Scott Pruitt’s most egregious policies. In his seven months as acting administrator, Mr. Wheeler has not been plagued by the same scandals that were the hallmark of his ethically bereft predecessor. In some cases, though, Mr. Wheeler has perpetuated or even worsened the pre-existing inadequacies and failures that Scott Pruitt left behind.

“During the time the Senate has considered his nomination, I’ve asked my colleagues to join me in ensuring Mr. Wheeler embraces commonsense policies that protect the environment while enhancing our economy—from protecting people from dangerous mercury pollution to addressing widespread PFAS contamination in our communities. While I am disappointed in the outcome of this vote, I am hopeful that progress has been made on a number of those issues I raised during Mr. Wheeler’s confirmation process. I will continue to work in a bipartisan way to ensure that EPA moves in a responsible direction.”

Shortly before the final confirmation vote, Senator Carper spoke on the Senate floor and urged his colleagues to oppose Mr. Wheeler’s nomination. View that video by clicking HERE.

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