On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), former New York Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee in a fairly straightforward and straightforward confirmation hearing without any fireworks from the Democrats in the committee. Beliefs in climate change, fossil fuels and Big Oil were the Democrats’ main concerns. There were a few attempts at “gotcha” moments, but Zeldin remained peaceful, frigid and stuck to the message, rightly stating that protecting the environment, spotless air and water are not Republican or Democratic issues, but American issues be.
“Are you seeing the fires in LA right now? Did you see the storms hit Georgia and North Carolina? The threat of climate change has not gone away.”
Senator Markey blames climate change for the LA fires and recent hurricanes, just as Biden did in his last… pic.twitter.com/KG7m1dXtE4
– Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025
Senator Markey blames climate change for the LA fires and recent hurricanes, just like Biden did in his last speech last night.
Democrats appeared to have two goals in the hearing. Insisting that Zeldin declares climate change is real and denouncing the evils of fossil fuels. For Democrats, if you simply insist that someone say something like that climate change is real or that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, then it is apparently true. They also never missed an opportunity to declare that Donald Trump “thinks climate change is a hoax.”
But Zeldin also reminded Democrats several times that Trump received a clear mandate from the American people in November. One of the main topics raised by all committee members was the existence of “P-FAS” chemicals. These are persistent chemicals that take time to break down and some of which have appeared in drinking water supplies. These chemicals have harmful effects on humans. Several committee members asked Zeldin to assure him that this issue would be a top priority for the EPA if confirmed.
Two of the usual suspects were EPW committee members: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). After Sanders finished declaring Trump a climate denier and using the Democrats’ favorite word, “existential,” he talked about how climate change is a global threat. Schiff spoke about the wildfires in California. Zeldin responded very humanely and compassionately to Schiff’s question about EPA’s role in disaster response and relief. Schiff then asked whether Zeldin would distinguish between red and blue states in the EPA’s response to the wildfires. Said the guy whose party promptly ignored Eastern Palestine, Ohio and Western North Carolina. Sen. Linsey Graham (R-SC) responded perhaps somewhat cautiously to Schiff, bringing up the need for “lessons learned” after natural disasters and also asking Zeldin about nuclear power. Zeldin replied that he was in favor of a holistic approach to energy solutions.
BERNIE SANDERS: “I know it’s fashionable to bash China. This is good politics… We will not solve this crisis without working with China.”
LEE ZELDIN: Yes, we have to work with people who disagree with us, but let’s not forget: “Right now, China is a…” pic.twitter.com/560wAM8Qrr
– Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025
LEE ZELDIN: Yes, we have to work with people who are not on our side, but let’s not forget: “Right now, China is an adversary.”
Many committee members had concerns centered on problems in their home states. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) had the most compelling story to tell. In the diminutive Alaskan village of Chicken, about 30 armed EPA agents raided miners and mechanic shops in 2013, claiming they were violating the Clean Water Act. Sullivan asked Zeldin: “Most of my state is armed. Alaskans believe in the Second Amendment. Someone gets hurt. Should the EPA be armed?” Zeldin answered no.
Senior Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) tried a trick at the start of the hearing, asking Zeldin, “Is carbon dioxide a pollutant?” Zeldin deftly replied, “As for the carbon dioxide you emitted during that question – no. Zeldin went on to say that carbon dioxide emissions are an issue the EPA will address. Whitehouse also suggested that Zeldin could be politically influenced because of the funds donated by the Koch brothers and his position as chairman of the America First Policy Institute.
Zeldin has repeatedly said that as head of the EPA he would follow the law and “not prejudge the results,” even as several committee members tried to get him to do so. The committee addressed many other topics, but Lee Zeldin explained his approach to running the EPA in his opening statement, saying:
“For many, myself included, success means leaving this world better than we found it. “I want every child in this nation—including my daughters and your children—to inherit a world with clean air, clean water, and a thriving economy.” This mission must go beyond politics, and I look forward to working with all of you to achieve it.”
Lee Zeldin should have no problem being confirmed as EPA’s next administrator.
.@SenLummis: “In terms of goals and clean air, is it about having clean air or is it about eliminating certain fuels?”@LeeMZeldin: “The goal, the reason there may be regulations, is the end state of having the cleanest, safest, healthiest air and…” pic.twitter.com/Oaso5sr4pX
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) January 16, 2025
