The Senate narrowly confirmed a lawyer for the petrochemical industry on Thursday to a key post at the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee air pollution regulations affecting his former clients. William Wehrum was approved on a vote of 49 to 47 to serve as assistant administrator for air and radiation. Republican moderate Sen. Susan Collins of Maine joined Democrats in voting against President Donald Trump's nominee. Sen. John Barrasso, the Wyoming Republican who chairs the Senate environment committee that weighed Wehrum's nomination, praised his credentials. Environmentalists worried Thursday that Wehrum will help further weaken clean air protections already under assault by the Trump administration.

Source: ABC News November 09, 2017 17:23 UTC