Senate Confirms Zeldin To Lead Environmental Protection Agency As Trump Vows To Cut Climate Rules

The Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, a key role to help President Donald Trump fulfill his pledge to roll back major environmental regulations, including those aimed at slowing climate change and encouraging use of electric vehicles.

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, along with all 53 Republicans.

Zeldin, a former Republican congressman from New York, is a longtime Trump ally and served on Trump's defense team during his first impeachment. He voted against certifying Trump's 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden.

Zeldin, 44, said during his confirmation hearing that he has a moral responsibility to be a good steward of the environment and pledged to support career staff who have dedicated themselves to the agency's mission to protect human health and the environment.

Zeldin repeatedly declined to commit to specific policies, however, promising instead not to prejudge outcomes before arriving at EPA. When asked by Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska whether he would roll back programs that promote electric cars - a program Trump has repeatedly criticized - Zeldin stayed vague but acknowledged he has heard Republican complaints.