Senate confirms Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator

By Kevin Bogardus, Manuel Quiñones | 01/29/2025 04:34 PM EST

The chamber is also voting to advance Doug Burgum for Interior secretary.

Lee Zeldin is pictured during a confirmation hearing.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, President Donald Trump's pick for EPA administrator, during his confirmation hearing. Francis Chung/POLITICO

The Senate on Wednesday afternoon confirmed the nomination of Lee Zeldin to lead EPA with bipartisan support.

The chamber approved the former New York representative by a vote of 56-42. Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly of Arizona broke with most of their party to vote “yes.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Zeldin understands the stakes of environmental protection, noting his eight years representing a Long Island congressional district almost completely surrounded by water.

“But Mr. Zeldin also recognizes that the EPA can’t be a hammer in search of nails, and that EPA rules have to be balanced with the needs of our economy, our national security and the American people,” Thune said during floor debate.

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