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The previous acting deputy administrator, Mike Flynn, who was at EPA for more than 36 years, retired last week.

Nine environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, wrote to senators urging them to vote against Wheeler.

Some Democrats said that Wheeler should be vetted more thoroughly in case Pruitt resigns and he ends up taking over at the EPA. The ranking member of the committee that considered his nomination, Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., said that more questions have been raised about actions at the agency since Wheeler's confirmation hearing.

Other Republicans, including the chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said they were confident that Wheeler will be a good addition to the agency.

\"Andrew Wheeler is well qualified to serve in this critical position at the EPA,\" Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., said.

Another Republican, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, said she had more confidence in Wheeler than Pruitt to lead the agency.

The EPA did not say Thursday when Wheeler will be sworn in.

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