EPW Committee votes 11-8 to favorably report Lee M. Zeldin nomination to lead EPA

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 11-8 to favorably report the nomination of Lee M. Zeldin of New York to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency during a business meeting that included an opening statement from the committee chair and extended criticism from Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the committee's ranking member, said he would vote against the nomination and urged his colleagues to oppose Zeldin. "A free to pollute business model serves the fossil fuel industry and only the fossil fuel industry," Whitehouse said, adding that recent executive actions by the president threaten environmental protections and could raise consumer costs. He concluded, "For that reason, I will vote no and urge a no vote."

The committee chair — who opened the meeting and moved to report the nomination favorably — offered a contrasting assessment, saying Zeldin had met with members of the committee and pledged transparency and collaboration. The chair said, "I believe he is well qualified for the position of administrator and will be an excellent addition to the president's cabinet," and described Zeldin's intent to run the agency "in line with the laws that the Congress has passed."

The Clerk called the roll after a motion "to approve and report the nomination favorably." Several senators cast recorded votes during the roll call as the committee completed its tally. The clerk announced the result as 11 yeas and 8 nays, and recorded that the nominee is favorably reported.

Votes at a glance Nomination: Presidential Nomination No. 11-23, Lee M. Zeldin of New York, to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Motion: "I move to approve and report the nomination favorably." (moved by the committee chair; second stated.) Committee vote: Yeas 11, Nays 8. Outcome: Favorably reported.

Context and significance Senator Whitehouse's remarks framed his opposition around recent presidential executive orders, the potential reversal of greenhouse gas regulation under the Clean Air Act, and concerns about industry influence and the "social cost of carbon." He cited reports warning about financial risks tied to climate change and said those trends create a systemic economic risk. The chair framed the nomination as a matter of agency leadership and implementation of statutes enacted by Congress, and emphasized Zeldin's pledge of transparency and consultation with committee members.

The clerk noted the presence of a quorum before the meeting was adjourned. No further committee action on this nomination was recorded in the meeting transcript.