WASHINGTON — The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to guide the Environmental Safety Company, a key position to assist President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll again main environmental laws, together with these geared toward slowing local weather change and inspiring use of electrical autos.
The vote was 56-42 in Zeldin’s favor. Three Democrats — Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania — supported Zeldin, together with all 53 Republicans.
Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is a longtime Trump ally and served on Trump’s protection staff throughout his first impeachment. He voted in opposition to certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.
Zeldin, 44, stated throughout his affirmation listening to that he has an ethical duty to be steward of the atmosphere and pledged to help profession employees who’ve devoted themselves to the company’s mission to guard human well being and the atmosphere.
Zeldin repeatedly declined to decide to particular insurance policies, nonetheless, promising as a substitute to not prejudge outcomes earlier than arriving at EPA. When requested by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska whether or not he would roll again packages that promote electrical vehicles — a program Trump has repeatedly criticized — Zeldin stayed obscure however acknowledged he has heard Republican complaints.
Trump led efforts to dismantle greater than 100 environmental protections throughout his first time period and has promised to take action once more, concentrating on what he falsely labels an electrical automobile “mandate” and “green new scam” authorized by Democrats.
Trump, who has referred to as local weather change a hoax, has vowed to overturn former President Joe Biden’s largest local weather accomplishments, together with tailpipe laws for autos and slashed air pollution from energy crops fired by coal and pure fuel. Trump has already moved to oust profession employees at EPA and different businesses, take away scientific advisers and shut an workplace that helps minority communities that disproportionately battle with polluted air and water.
Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island referred to as Zeldin the fallacious man for the job.