A Senate committee voted Wednesday to advance President Trump Donald John TrumpObama calls on Senate not to fill Ginsburg's vacancy until after election Planned Parenthood: 'The fate of our rights' depends on Ginsburg replacement Progressive group to spend M in ad campaign on Supreme Court vacancy MORE’s nominee to be deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 11-10 vote in the Environment and Public Works Committee, along party lines, sets up former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler for a potential vote in the full Senate once GOP leaders schedule it.

The committee voted in November to confirm Wheeler. But Democrats objected to the GOP’s attempt to carry over Wheeler’s nomination at the end of the year, instead sending it back to Trump, who re-nominated him.

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Republicans said Wheeler is a highly qualified choice to be EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt Edward (Scott) Scott PruittJuan Williams: Swamp creature at the White House Science protections must be enforceable Conspicuous by their absence from the Republican Convention MORE’s No. 2 and help him implement Trump’s aggressive environmental deregulatory agenda.

“He’s proven himself to be a well-qualified, experienced and dedicated public service,” said Sen. John Barrasso John Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling bipartisan energy bill The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by National Industries for the Blind - Trump, Biden battle over vaccine, economy; Congress returns MORE (R-Wyo.), the panel’s chairman. “We all know that Mr. Wheeler will make an invaluable contribution to the nation’s public health and safety as deputy administrator of the EPA.”

Wheeler is currently a lawyer at Faegre Baker Daniels, and was until last year a registered a lobbyist for companies including coal mining giant Murray Energy.

He previously worked at the EPA and as a staffer for Sen. James Inhofe James (Jim) Mountain InhofeChamber of Commerce endorses McSally for reelection Overnight Defense: Top admiral says 'no condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' | Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings Top admiral: 'No condition' where US should conduct nuclear test 'at this time' MORE (R-Okla.), the Environment and Public Works Committee’s former chairman.

Democrats said they hadn’t gotten sufficient assurances that Wheeler would act independently from his former industry clients like Murray Energy.

“I believe that members of this committee and members of the public deserve more clarity about whether the Trump administration will be guided by science and the law or by Mr. Murray’s demands,” said Sen. Tom Carper Thomas (Tom) Richard CarperDemocrat asks for probe of EPA's use of politically appointed lawyers Overnight Energy: Study links coronavirus mortality to air pollution exposure | Low-income, minority households pay more for utilities: report OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Democrats push resolution to battle climate change, sluggish economy and racial injustice | Senators reach compromise on greenhouse gas amendment stalling energy bill | Trump courts Florida voters with offshore drilling moratorium MORE (Del.), the committee’s top Democrat.

Murray has asked the Trump administration to implement a number of pro-coal policies. Some, like repealing the Clean Power Plan, have started to be implemented. Officials, though, have resisted action on others, like repealing the Obama administration’s scientific finding that greenhouse gases are harmful to public health and the environment.

Hours before the Senate committee vote, The Intercept reported that Wheeler held campaign fundraisers last May for Barrasso and Inhofe, who is still on the committee.

Wheeler had not been formally nominated by Trump at the time, but the administration had been rumored to be considering him.

The Sierra Club cited that report in calling for the committee to delay Wheeler’s vote and hold hearings on his fundraising.