1 of 7 | Lee Zeldin testifies during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to examine his expected nomination to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI |
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Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is questioning the nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin, in a confirmation hearing Thursday.
Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee, has a record of voting against many efforts to curb climate change during his eight-year stint in the U.S. Congress.
Democrats on the committee noted this. Ranking member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., said Zeldin will be "merely a rubber stamp for looters and polluters who are setting the Trump agenda."
In his opening statement, Zeldin balanced the protection of the environment with economic goals, saying the United States "must do everything in our power to harness the greatness of American innovation with the Greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship."
This balance continued to be central to the hearing. Zeldin downplayed Trump's repeated dismissal of climate change as a "hoax." Instead, he framed Trump's position as "an environmentalist" who is also "concerned about the economic costs of some policies."
"I believe that climate change is real," Zeldin told Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. "The context that I heard [Trump] speak about it was with criticism of policies that had been enacted because of climate change."
"I would respectfully disagree with you," Sanders responded. "He has called it a hoax time and time again."
Prompted by Sanders, Zeldin said the worsening natural disasters in the United States and the role that climate change plays in them must be urgently addressed. Sanders referred to the wildfires in Los Angeles County, calling them "apocalyptic." He also referenced massive flooding across the Midwest and his home state of Vermont.
"This is beyond politics, my friends," Sanders said. "This is the future of humanity."
Remaining on the deadly wildfires in California, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., sought Zeldin's thoughts on political loyalty playing a role in disaster response. This with the backdrop of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., saying there should be conditions attached to federal aid for California.
"And I assume, Mr. Zeldin, your response will not depend on whether disaster strikes a red state or a blue state, you will equally work to speed relief to those Americans affected?" asked Schiff.
"Yes, senator," said Zeldin.
When announcing the nomination, Trump said Zeldin will lead his charge to reverse environmental policies.
"He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water, on the planet," Trump said in a statement.
Sen. Whitehouse remained skeptical of Zeldin's willingness to act with the protection of the environment as a priority, if he is confirmed.
"They'll be coming after you, hard," Whitehouse said of fossil fuel lobbyists and wealthy corporations.
Whitehouse added that the fossil fuel industry's heavy investment in Trump's campaign will embolden them to expect policies that are fruitful for their business interests. Zeldin maintained that he is committed to doing his best to lead the EPA.
The hearing convened at 10 a.m. EST. Zeldin is one of several cabinet nominees in senate confirmation hearings on Thursday.
Zeldin was a representative of New York's first congressional district from 2015 to 2023. He left Congress to challenge New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in the state's gubernatorial election in 2022 unsuccessfully.