The Senate in a 56-42 vote on Wednesday confirmed Lee Zeldin as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Three Democrats, Sens. John Fetterman (Pa.), Mark Kelly (Ariz.), and Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), joined all Republicans in supporting Zeldin's nomination. President Donald Trump tapped Zeldin shortly after his election victory in November, calling the former New York representative "a true fighter for America First policies" who will "unleash the power of American businesses" and "[maintain] the highest environmental standards."
The confirmation comes as Trump works to fulfill his campaign pledge to roll back the Biden administration's climate initiatives and expand domestic energy production. Trump has signed executive orders declaring a national energy emergency and reversing his predecessor's electric vehicle targets. The president also ordered a freeze on unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated significant resources to green energy projects.
Zeldin pledged to "restore American energy dominance," "revitalize our auto industry," and "slash the red tape" that stifles economic mobility, while ensuring environmental conservation.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on January 16, Zeldin said he would "look into" and potentially "claw back" funds dispersed under the IRA.
"The EPA must be better stewards of tax dollars, honor cooperative federalism, and be transparent and accountable to Congress and the public," Zeldin told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "We can and we must protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy."
"The American people elected President Trump last November in part due to serious concerns about upward economic mobility," Zeldin added. "A big part of this will require building private sector collaboration to promote common sense, smart regulation."
Zeldin, the seventh Trump appointee to be confirmed, represented New York's First Congressional District from 2015 to 2023. He ran for governor in 2022, securing the most votes for a Republican candidate in New York in 50 years.
The Senate has also confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, John Ratcliffe as director of the CIA, Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security, Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, Scott Bessent as secretary of the Treasury, and Sean Duffy as secretary of transportation.