President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cleared a significant hurdle Thursday, as the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee voted 11-8 to advance his nomination, setting the stage for a full Senate vote.
Lee Zeldin, an attorney and former U.S. representative for New York’s eastern Long Island, earned support from all committee Republicans, with Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., as the lone Democrat backing his candidacy.
Zeldin’s Political and Professional Background
Zeldin, who served in the New York state legislature before his tenure in the House, has been a steadfast ally of Trump. Throughout Trump’s presidency, Zeldin defended him during contentious political battles, including two impeachments. More recently, he worked on U.S.-China policy at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative nonprofit closely aligned with Trump.
Support from Republicans, Criticism from Democrats
EPW Committee Chair Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., praised Zeldin for pledging transparency and collaboration during his confirmation hearing. She also criticized the EPA for allegedly overregulating under previous administrations, which she said hurt small businesses.
