RICHMOND, Va (WSET) — In week three of the General Assembly meeting for its 2022 session, legislators have gotten to work on many bills.

Recently, a Senate committee voted to reject Andrew Wheeler, Gov. Glenn Youngkin's pick for Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.

Wheeler served on former President Donal Trump's administration as the Environmental Protection Agency.

Democrats felt Wheeler was not qualified for this position.

Democrat State Senator Creigh Deeds representing the 25th district, which includes Buena Vista and Nelson, said during the committee meeting that Wheeler undermined the work of the EPA while working under the Trump administration.

He added that Democrats think members of the cabinet should unite Virginians and should be someone they have confidence in.

Republicans in that meeting responded by naming Wheeler's qualifications and accomplishments during his time as EPA chief.

The rejection ended in a 9 to 6 vote.

ABC13 reached out to Youngkin's office about this.

"Andrew Wheeler is a highly qualified individual with an extensive background on natural resources and issues critically important to Virginians. The governor is disappointed that the committee put partisan politics over the selection of an experienced public servant who would prioritize cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay and James River," Macaulay Porter, a Youngkin spokesperson, said.

While the Senate committee voted to reject Wheeler, the House of Delegates, now Republican-controlled,...

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