DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to confirm former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler as the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency:

“Andrew Wheeler is a former coal lobbyist who’s devoted his career to rolling back climate protections and destroying our environment. Putting him in charge of the EPA is like putting an arsonist in charge of the fire department. But this is what we’ve come to expect from Donald Trump and a Republican Party hell-bent on selling out future generations. Trump’s last EPA chief, Scott Pruitt, resigned in disgrace after a series of scandals that exposed his corruption. With Wheeler’s appointment, this administration is continuing to put corporate profits over the safety of our people and our planet.

“Democrats understand the fact that climate change is a pressing threat to our prosperity and national security. We believe every community has the right to clean air and clean water. And we will keep fighting to protect our environment for future generations.”