Former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin appeared at his confirmation hearing Thursday to head the Environmental Protection Agency, where he was heavily criticized by Democrats for his views on climate change.
Sheldon Whitehouse, ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, asked Zeldin about the effects of carbon dioxide and pollutants on the atmosphere.
“Is carbon dioxide a pollutant?” asked the Rhode Island Democrat.
“In terms of the carbon dioxide emissions you emitted during that question, no,” Zeldin answered, adding that in larger quantities the EPA should certainly focus on carbon dioxide emissions.
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Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, RN.Y., arrives at EPA approval hearing (Fox News Digital/Charlie Creitz)
The White House also created a topographic map of the Ocean State, color-coded to show areas at risk of being flooded by climate change.
He said Zeldin likely understands the sea level issue. That’s because Mr. Zeldin’s former congressional district is diagonally across Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean from Westerly Island.
Later, Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, told Zeldin that 2024 was “the hottest year on record.”
Sanders, who calls himself a democratic socialist, added that the past decade has also been the hottest on record, with “unprecedented wildfires on the West Coast and Canada,” “unprecedented flooding in China” and South America. and the drought in Africa.
He said President Trump has called climate change “a hoax, over and over again.”
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Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat – Head of the Environment/Public Works Committee
“What we’re seeing in L.A. right now is apocalyptic… Montpelier was recently underwater in a way we’ve never seen before.”
He pressed Zeldin to reveal whether he believed climate change was an existential threat.
In contrast, Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) praised Zeldin’s cautious beliefs on climate change.
“There are many things that should unite us in relation to the environment,” he said.
At that time, a cell phone made a loud noise near Zeldin.
“That was the fossil fuel industry,” Sanders quipped.
Later, Sen. Edward Markey of Massachusetts, a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, said in a 2016 congressional debate that Zeldin said it was America’s job to “reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.” I asked about the comment.
“I support all of the above energies,” Zeldin replied before Marky interjected.
“Considering all factors, in an ideal world we would always be able to pursue the cleanest and greenest energy sources possible,” Zeldin continued, adding that Markey, now Lee Zeldin, suggested he disagreed with Lee Zeldin in 2016.
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) singled out voters destroyed by wildfires.
Zeldin asked to visit California to bring aid, and Schiff accepted.
“Your response doesn’t depend on whether the disaster hits a red state or a blue state…?” Schiff later asked.
Zeldin assured me that was not the case.
In his opening statement at the beginning of the hearing, Zeldin pledged to uphold EPA’s core mission of protecting human health and the environment.
“We have to do everything we can to take advantage of the greatness of American innovation and the greatness of American conservation and environmental stewardship. We have to make sure that we protect our environment while protecting our economy.” said.
“The American people need leaders who can find common ground to solve the urgent problems we face. I want my daughters, your loved ones, and our We want every child across the country to thrive in a world with clean air, clean water, and unlimited opportunity,” Zeldin continued.
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Zeldin said that if the facts are confirmed, “we will foster a collaborative culture within the Agency and support career staff who are dedicated to this mission. We will continue to be good stewards of the environment for generations to come.” I strongly believe that we have a moral responsibility to do so.”
Mr. Zeldin, who received a lifetime environmental poll score of 14% from the League of Environmental Voters, also worked on efforts to improve air and water quality in New York and its surrounding areas during his tenure.
He opposed efforts to dump dredged waste into Long Island Sound and tripled funding for the EPA’s Long Island Sound program.
Trump said in an earlier statement that Zeldin would ensure fair decisions to deregulate “in a way that unlocks the power of American business while at the same time preserving the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on earth.” , said it would be enforced.
Charles Creitz is a reporter for Fox News Digital.
He joined Fox News in 2013 as a writer and production assistant.
Charles covers media, politics and culture for Fox News Digital.
Charles is a Pennsylvania native and graduate of Temple University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. Story tips can be sent to charles.creitz@fox.com.
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