Watch Senator Capito put “aggressive pressure” on EPA chief and former Murray Energy lobbyist, Andrew Wheeler

(Unfortunately, because Wheeler is shot from the waist-up, we do not see him shaking in his boots.)

Today, I told @EPAAWheeler to expect continued aggressive pressure from me for @EPA to finalize a #PFAS maximum contaminant level. Safe drinking water is of utmost importance to me, and I’ll continue pushing @EPA to get this done in a timely manner. pic.twitter.com/2dgMd2caTD

— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) May 20, 2020

He did not look very pressured to me -- but you never know.

You would think that Capito’s “aggressive pressure” on Wheeler would make news other than on Capito’s senate website or Twitter feed. However, only two media reports noted Capito’s presence at the hearing and neither mentioned PFAS but they did mention her praise for Wheeler on the wood-burning stoves issue. From E&E News:

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) also appreciated EPA extending the sale period of wood stoves with less restrictive emissions standards. Wheeler said those retailers could be facing bankruptcy without that relief.

"I appreciate you looking out for the small-business interests," Capito said.

Wood-burning stoves?

Capito blames Speaker Pelosi and the House for coronavirus inaction

On Tuesday, Capito’s Twitter feed and her Senate website both featured her attacks on Nancy Pelosi and the House’s coronavirus bill. In both, she promised that the Senate would soon take action:

. . . . we are listening to the people in our states—and their needs and their wants and their fears and their hopes and dreams. I am confident that we will take responsible action to build our economy—together, put people back to work—together, and help keep our families safe and healthy.

Here’s her Twitter feed:

Today, I outlined why Speaker Pelosi’s bill is not a serious #coronavirus response. Right now, the Senate is evaluating additional aid & providing oversight on the trillions we’ve already spent. Together, we will get through this, but our response must be bipartisan & unified. pic.twitter.com/LiwBdzW4ay

— Shelley Moore Capito (@SenCapito) May 19, 2020

And what has the Senate been doing about coronavirus aid? Earlier today, the Associated Press published this article:

Deliberative Senate declines to debate more coronavirus aid

Here’s the lede:

As Americans confront a crisis unlike any in modern times, the world’s greatest deliberative body is doing almost anything but deliberate the coronavirus.

It gets worse:

[D]espite a virus death toll nearing 100,000 and more than 30 million unemployed, the slow-moving Senate is proving even a pandemic won't quicken its pace. Senators are prepared to leave town for a weeklong Memorial Day break without having acted on any new relief.

If the Senate did nothing on the virus, what did it do all week?

The floor action this week revolved around votes on Trump's nominees for judicial and executive branch positions. Senators confirmed a new Federal Election Commission member and is on track to confirm four federal judges. Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, could be confirmed as soon as Thursday.

Of course, there is nothing more important than getting Trump’s right-wing justices confirmed -- especially during a pandemic. Another plus for the Senate: Ratcliffe was confirmed earlier today.

So, the Senate did nothing about the virus nor did it take any “responsible action to build our economy” and this is somehow Nancy Pelosi’s fault. Thanks for keeping us informed, Senator.