Washington, D.C.– In response to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the future nomination of Chris Wright for the Secretary of the Department of Energy, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing on the nomination of Sean Duffy to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee nomination hearing of Russell Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the League of Conservation Voters released the following statements from Vice President of Federal Policy and former EPA scientist, Matthew Davis:

“Nothing that was said by any of these nominees in hearings today changes the fact that they are not fit to serve in these roles. They have made it clear that they will follow President-elect Trump in putting polluters over people, leaving our families, communities and environment at risk. We oppose their nominations and urge Senators to reject them.”

Statement on Chris Wright for Secretary of Energy:

“As a wealthy Big Oil executive who would be charged with overseeing huge parts of our energy economy, Chris Wright’s responses today were deeply troubling. He would not distance himself from his previous statements calling wildfire concerns ‘just hype,’ even as nearly a hundred thousand Angelenos are still evacuated and tens of thousands of homes have burned to the ground.  While he confirmed he was at the well-reported dinner oil and gas executives had with former President Trump in April 2024, he denied that Trump suggested they spend $1 billion on his campaign in order to roll back environmental protections.

Let’s be clear. A vote for Chris Wright is a vote for the polluting oil and gas industry and Senators should reject his nomination for Secretary of the Department Energy. We need a leader who can advance the cheapest, fastest, cleanest energy that can deliver a win-win-win for communities and the climate – not a Big Oil executive.”

Statement on Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation: 

“Don’t be fooled. Though we didn’t see Duffy say anything about his climate denial or his opposition to clean, efficient cars and trucks, Duffy, who has a lifetime score of 2% on the National Environmental Scorecard, will pursue allegiance to Trump over clean energy solutions that protect the health and safety of our communities and our environment. We need a Secretary of Transportation who would prioritize clean vehicles and transit to make transportation more affordable, while tackling the climate crisis and keeping the air safe and healthy to breathe. Duffy’s history of denying the scientific consensus of climate change, criticizing clean car standards, and his loyalty to Trump, puts our health, our environment and climate progress at risk. We urge Senators to reject the nomination of Sean Duffy for Secretary of the Department of Transportation.”

Statement on Russell Vought to Lead Office of Management and Budget:

“Russell Vought’s testimony today confirms his goals are to fulfill his promise to traumatize hard-working civil servants and carry out the extreme and unpopular Project 2025 agenda he co-wrote: taking power away from Congress and preventing the government from doing their job to protect communities. He doubled down on illegally directing agencies to withhold or delay funds directed by acts of Congress, as he did previously, including for critical disaster relief to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

Today’s hearing made it clear Vought intends to pick up right where he left off, which will cause lasting harm to the health and safety of communities, our air and water, and our freedoms, while increasing costs for people across the country. The Senate must reject this dangerous nomination to protect our communities and the critical agencies that serve people across the country.”

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