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ancient New York Congressman Lee Zeldin He sat in on his confirmation hearing to lead the Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday, and Democrats asked him about his views on climate change.
Sheldon Whitehouse, the ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, questioned Zeldin about the effects of carbon dioxide and pollutants in the atmosphere.
“Is carbon dioxide a pollutant?” asked the Rhode Island Democrat.
“As for the carbon dioxide emitted by you during that question, no,” Zeldin replied, adding that, at larger masses, the EPA should focus on carbon dioxide production.
DEM LEGISLATION ADVANCE ZELDIN THROUGH HOCHUL
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, RN.Y. comes to the EPA confirmation hearing (Fox News Digital/Charlie Creitz)
Whitehouse also produced a topographical map of the state of the ocean, which shows the ranges of color that he said are in danger of being submerged by climate change.
He said Zeldin likely understands the problem with sea levels, since his old congressional district is diagonally across Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean from Westerly.
Later, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who caucuses with Democrats, said Zelda that 2024 was “the hottest year on record.”
Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, added that the past decade has also been the hottest on record, citing “unprecedented wildfires on the West Coast and Canada, as well as “unprecedented flooding in China” and drought in South America and Africa.
Trump said has called climate change a “hoax; again and again”.
DONALD TRUMP’S CABINET HAS A SENATE HEARING ON THURSDAY
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI – the top Democrat on the Environment/Public Works committee
“What we’re seeing right now in LA right now is apocalyptic … Montpelier was underwater recently in a way we haven’t seen.”
He pressed Zeldin to reveal whether he believes climate change is an existential threat.
By contrast, Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, praised Zeldin for his measured belief in climate change.
“There are many things that should unite us … in terms of the environment,” he said.
At that time, a cell phone near Zeldin rang loudly.
“That was the fossil fuel industry,” Sanders said.
later, Co-sponsor of the Green New Deal Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts questioned Zeldin about comments in a 2016 congressional debate where he said it is the US’s job to “reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”
“I support all of the above energy,” Zeldin replied before Markey interjected.
“All factors considered, in an ideal world, we could always look for the cleanest, greenest sources of energy possible,” Zeldin later continued, prompting Markey to suggest that the current Lee Zeldin is not ‘according to Lee Zeldin from 2016.
Senator Adam Schiff, D-Calif., educated constituents devastated by the wildfires.
Zeldin asked to visit California to bring aid, and Schiff agreed.
“Won’t your answer depend on whether the disaster affects a red state or a blue state…?” Schiff asked later.
Zeldin assured him that would not be the case.
In his opening statement at the start of the hearing, Zeldin pledged to uphold the EPA’s core mission, which he described as protecting human health and the environment.
“We must do everything in our power to leverage the greatness of American innovation with the greatness of American environmental conservation and stewardship. We must make sure that we are protecting our environment, while protecting our economy,” he said.
“The American people need leaders who can find common ground to solve the pressing problems we face. I want my daughters, your loved ones, and every child in our country to thrive in a world with clean air, water net and unlimited opportunities,” Zeldin continued.
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If confirmed, Zeldin pledged to “foster a collaborative culture within the agency, supporting the professional staff who have dedicated themselves to this mission. I strongly believe that we have a moral responsibility to be good stewards of our environment for future generations.”
Zeldin earned a 14% lifetime environmental voting rating from the League of Conservation Voters, but while in office he also fought efforts to improve air and water quality in New York and in the surroundings
He rejected efforts to dump dredge tailings in Long Island Sound, tripling funding for the EPA’s Long Island Sound program.
Trump said in an earlier statement that Zeldin would ensure fair deregulation decisions and enact them “in a way that unleashes the power of corporate America, while maintaining the highest environmental standards, including air and cleanest water on the planet”.
