Al Franken: “Thank you, Mr. President. Like the Senator from Illinois, I rise to voice my opposition to the nomination of Bill Wehrum…”

“Thank you, Mr. President. Like the Senator from Illinois, I rise to voice my opposition to the nomination of Bill Wehrum to serve as the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation at the Environmental Protection Agency. The Office of Air and Radiation oversees matters that are critical to human and environmental health, specifically, air and radiation but also climate change, air quality, and vehicle emissions. If confirmed, Mr. Wehrum would be responsible for these immensely important issues, which require putting the health of our citizens above industry interests. Given this, I don't know why the Senate would confirm him for this position. Mr. Wehrum has already served in this role in an acting capacity during the Bush administration. His confirmation was blocked by the Senate in 2006. His prior tenure shows that he will not fulfill the mission of the EPA to protect human health and the environment. In fact, he has a record of putting corporate profits before the well- being of citizens. During his tenure in the Bush administration, Mr. Wehrum rolled back clean air safeguards that protect public health on 27 occasions. His actions were challenged in court for not fulfilling the requirements of the Clean Air Act, and 27 times the court ruled against Mr. Wehrum. One particular issue that he was involved in was mercury pollution. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has to reduce hazardous air pollutants like mercury, which is particularly harmful to children.…”