A Vote for Bernhardt is a Vote for Pesticides, Fossil Fuels and a Raid on Lands, Waters, Wildlife

WASHINGTON  – As Congress holds a hearing tomorrow on the nomination of David Bernhardt to become Interior Secretary, key information has come to light about his role in suppressing science and threatening public health through agency actions that favor the pesticide industry.

The following is a statement from Erik Olson, Senior Director for Health and Food at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“In addition to Bernhardt’s extensive conflicts and pro-polluter maneuvers, we’re now learning he’s also a threat to the health of all of us. At his direction, Interior has been making it easier for industry to poison the fruits and vegetables we eat.”

The following is a statement from Andrew Wetzler, Managing Director of the Nature program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Bernhardt is working for industry, not the public. He’s an unmitigated disaster for our public lands, oceans and endangered species.  The Senate should reject him and demand a nominee who will protect our people, waters, land and wildlife—not polluter profits.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​