Tom Udall: “I would associate myself with the comments of Senator Van Hollen, who I think hit the nail on the head when it comes to…”

“I would associate myself with the comments of Senator Van Hollen, who I think hit the nail on the head when it comes to this overreach by the President. I rise in support of the growing calls for action on climate change that are echoing in every corner of this Nation. The science is overwhelming, the evidence is clear, and unless we take immediate action, we will lose our planet as we know it. There is nowhere that has more at stake than my home State of New Mexico and the Southwest, which are in the bullseye of global warming. Unless we act against greenhouse gas pollution, rising temperatures, drought, wildfires, deforestation, we will permanently harm our communities. Because I believe in climate science and because I believe we desperately need to act, I must strongly oppose the confirmation of Andrew Wheeler to lead our Nation's Environmental Protection Agency. Mr. Wheeler has consistently advocated for measures that would damage the environment, hurt public health, and do long-term injury to the economy, and his record on climate change and the record of his administration are simply disqualifying. Mr. Wheeler's nomination is among the worst in a long line of backward nominations by this President. For someone who wants to lead the EPA--the key word being ``protection''--Mr. Wheeler's priorities are upside down. Let's be blunt with the American people. Mr. Wheeler was not nominated to protect the environment and human health.…”