Senate Confirms EPA Assistant for Scott Pruitt

Supported by Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, President Trump’s pick to be an EPA assistant administrator, Bill Wehrum was narrowly confirmed Thursday by the U.S. Senate.

It was earlier in the week when Sen. Inhofe took to the Senate floor to speak in support of Wehrum who will be in charge of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation.

He was confirmed on a 49-47 vote and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the only Republican to vote against the confirmation. Wehrum had been in charge of the administrative law practice of Hunton and Williams LLP. Some contend his new position will be the EPA’s most influential post behind Administrator Scott Pruitt.

“There is no one more qualified to lead the Office of Air and Radiation than Bill Wehrum,” said Inhofe, a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. “As a former EPA employee, he will serve the agency and the American people with integrity and unparalleled expertise.”