The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works advanced the nomination of Andrew Wheeler to be Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator by a vote of 11-10, along party lines. His nomination now heads to the Senate where he will need a simple majority for confirmation. Republicans hold a 53 to 47 majority in the U.S. Senate.

 

President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Wheeler as EPA administrator on November 16, 2018. During a White House ceremony for Medal of Freedom recipients, Trump said, “He’s done a fantastic job and I want to congratulate him.” Trump formally nominated Wheeler on January 9, 2019.

 

Wheeler currently serves as the acting administrator of the EPA. He took over for former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, who resigned in July 2018.

 

The United States Senate confirmed Wheeler as the EPA deputy administrator on April 12, 2018, by a vote of 53-45. Prior to serving as deputy administrator, Wheeler worked as a lobbyist for the energy industry and as a staffer in the Senate.