Senate Confirms Zeldin to Head Environmental Protection Agency

The former New York congressman will lead the agency, whose budget and scope the Trump administration is certain to slash.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, speaks during his Senate Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on Jan. 16, 2025. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin has been confirmed by the Senate to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which, under President Donald Trump, is expected to see a significant slash in regulatory oversight and manpower.

The Senate endorsed Zeldin as EPA director on Jan. 29 in a 56–42 partisan vote amid objections by some Democrats who said they fear the Long Island Republican will dismantle an agency targeted by conservatives and industry as a regulatory obstacle in economic and energy development.