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.
Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ruben Gallego (D-N.M.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) were the only Democrats to join all 53 Senate Republicans in endorsing Zeldin’s nomination….