Activists shut down Wheeler

WASHINGTON –Environmental activists and members of Friends of the Earth Action were arrested during today’s confirmation hearing for Andrew Wheeler in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Wheeler is the acting administrator of the EPA and is nominated to lead the agency as its full-time administrator. The activists interrupted the hearing multiple times, holding up signs and shouting “Shutdown Wheeler, not the EPA.”

Liz Butler, Vice President of Organizing and Strategic Alliances at Friends of the Earth Action, issued the following statement in response:

We need to shut down Andrew Wheeler, not the government. Wheeler is a threat to our clean air and water and the absolute wrong choice to lead the EPA. Forcing this former coal lobbyist’s nomination through during a government shutdown makes this dangerous situation even more dire.  

Senate Republican elitists have decided that Andrew Wheeler deserves a promotion but thousands of federal workers must go without pay. The Senate is abusing its power with this illegitimate hearing.

Photos of action and arrests can be found here.

Communications contact: Erin Jensen, (727) 504-7163, [email protected]