Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org or 202-670-5585
WASHINGTON, DC - Despite revelations unveiled just this morning, Senator John Barasso proceeded to call a vote on coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler to be the #2 at EPA. On a party-line vote Republicans in the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee approved the nomination to go to the full Senate.
In a shocking report this morning, The Intercept reveals that Wheeler hosted fundraisers for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee chairman, Senator John Barasso, as well as the immediate past chairman, Senator Jim Inhofe, months after he was already the presumptive nominee.
In Response, Sierra Club Legislative Director Melinda Pierce Released the Following Statement:
“Andrew Wheeler’s record of serving no one but fossil fuel billionaires poses a threat to the health and safety of everyone in America. It is appalling that Republican Senators voted to advance this nomination, especially in light of the fundraising scandal unveiled just this morning.
“This morning’s revelations need to be immediately investigated, and hearings should be held again to ask Wheeler why he was so eager to hold fundraisers for the very people voting on his nomination. No vote on the floor of the Senate should proceed until that happens.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.