On Thursday, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head up the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), former New York Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin, went before the Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works (EPW) in a confirmation hearing that was fairly straightforward and without any fireworks from Democrats on the Committee. Climate change beliefs, fossil fuels, and "Big Oil" were of chief concern for Democrats. There were a few attempts at "gotcha" moments, but Zeldin remained calm, cool, and stayed on message, and rightly stated that care of the environment, clean air, and water were not Republican or Democrat issues but American issues.

"Do you see the fires in LA right now? Did you see the storms ripple through Georgia and through North Carolina? The threat of climate change hasn't gone away."

Sen. Markey is blaming the fires in LA and recent hurricanes on climate change, just like Biden did in his final… pic.twitter.com/KG7m1dXtE4

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025

Sen. Markey is blaming the fires in LA and recent hurricanes on climate change, just like Biden did in his final address last night.

Democrats appeared to have two goals in the hearing. To insist that Zeldin declare that climate change is real, and to rail on the evils of fossil fuels. Apparently, for Democrats, if you just insist that someone say something, like climate change is real or Joe Biden won the 2020 election, that makes it true. They also wasted no opportunity to state that Donald Trump "believes climate change is a hoax." 

But Zeldin also reminded Democrats several times that Trump was given a clear mandate by the American people in November. One of the chief topics among all Committee members was the existence of "P-FAS" chemicals. These are long-lasting chemicals, the breakdown of which takes time, and some have shown up in drinking water supplies. These chemicals have harmful effects on humans. Several Committee members asked for a commitment from Zeldin that should he be confirmed, this issue would be a top priority for the EPA. 

Two of the usual suspects were on the EPW Committee, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). After Sanders was done declaring Trump a climate denier and employing Democrats' favorite word, "existential," he talked about climate change being a global threat. Schiff talked about the California wildfires. Zeldin gave a very human and compassionate response to Schiff's question about the EPA's role in disaster response and relief. Schiff then asked whether Zeldin would distinguish between red states and blue when it came to an EPA response to the wildfires. Said the guy whose party promptly ignored East Palestine, Ohio, and western North Carolina. In what might have been a bit of pushback on Schiff by Sen. Linsey Graham (R-SC), Graham brought up the need for "lessons learned" after natural disasters and also asked Zeldin about nuclear power. Zeldin answered by saying that he was for an all-in approach to energy solutions.

BERNIE SANDERS: "I know it's fashionable to be beating up on China. It's good politics...We're not going to solve this crisis without working with China."

LEE ZELDIN: Yes we need to work with people who don't align with us, but let's not forget, "right now, China is an… pic.twitter.com/560wAM8Qrr

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) January 16, 2025

LEE ZELDIN: Yes we need to work with people who don't align with us, but let's not forget, "right now, China is an adversary."

Many Committee members had concerns that centered around issues in their home states. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) had the most compelling tale to tell. In the small village of Chicken, Alaska, in 2013, around 30 armed EPA agents raided miners and mechanic shops, claiming they violated the Clean Water Act. Sullivan asked Zeldin, "Most of my state is armed. Alaskans believe in the Second Amendment. Somebody is going to get hurt. Should the EPA be armed?" Zeldin replied no.

Ranking member Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) tried a bit of gotcha early in the hearing, asking Zeldin, "Is carbon dioxide a pollutant?" Zeldin deftly answered, "As far as the carbon dioxide emitted by you during that question – no." Zeldin did go on to say that carbon dioxide emissions were an issue the EPA would be looking at. Whitehouse also implied that Zeldin might be swayed politically because of funds donated by the Koch brothers and his position as chair at the America First Policy Institute. 

Zeldin repeatedly said that as head of the EPA, he would follow the law and "not prejudge outcomes," even though several Committee members tried to get him to do so. The Committee touched on many other topics, but Lee Zeldin stated his approach to heading up the EPA in his opening statement, saying:

"Success is defined for many, including me, as leaving this world better than we found it. I want every child in this nation — including my daughters and your children — to inherit a world with clean air, clean water, and a thriving economy. This mission must transcend politics, and I look forward to working with all of you to achieve it." 

Lee Zeldin should have no problem being confirmed as the next administrator of the EPA. 

.@SenLummis: “With regard to goals and clean air, is the goal to have clean air, or is the goal to eliminate specific fuels?”@LeeMZeldin: “The goal, the reason why regulation might be in place, is the end state of wanting to have the cleanest, safest, healthiest air and… pic.twitter.com/Oaso5sr4pX

— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) January 16, 2025