“Lee knows that innovation, not government intervention, is the best solution to lower prices, to grow the economy, and to protect our environment…He is the right nominee to lead the EPA.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate floor calling for the quick confirmation of Lee Zeldin, President Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.
Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:
“I strongly support Congressman Lee Zeldin to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
“We are blessed in America with enormous natural resources.
“I support using our resources responsibly. I support sensible environmental stewardship. Americans deserve clean water and clean air. They deserve good jobs and economic strength.
“Environmental protection and economic growth should go hand-in-hand. They are not mutually exclusive.
“As head of the EPA, Lee will return the agency to its original mission
of protecting America’s air, water, and land – without, as he puts it, ‘suffocating the economy.’
“Nearly two weeks ago, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing on Lee. As the former Chairman of the Committee, I was honored to introduce him.
“Lee is highly qualified. His support is bipartisan.
“Lee is a lifelong public servant. He is a seasoned lawyer with a sharp legal mind. He has over 20 years of military service. He currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves.
“Lee also served 8 years in Congress. As a representative from New York,
he worked to strengthen our economy and protect his district’s unique ecosystem. He worked across party lines to do so.
“For the last four years, the so-called experts at the Environmental Protection Agency went on a reckless regulatory rampage.
“They saddled American families and businesses with higher costs and heavy-handed restrictions. They bowed to climate extremism and ignored common sense.
“In 2024, the EPA introduced one of the most expensive regulations in American history – the electric vehicle mandate.
“The EV Mandate was left-wing lunacy at its worst.
“According to the Competitive Enterprise Institute, its total cost of compliance is $760 billion. To put that in perspective, the cost of this one regulation is nearly equal to the price tag of 8 years of regulations under President Barack Obama.
“The EV mandate would also cost hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“Americans rejected the EV Mandate and other costly climate policies in November. President Trump revoked the EV Mandate on his first day in office.
“Here in the Senate, repealing the Biden EV subsidies is one of my top priorities. These subsidies are estimated to cost more than $393 billion.
“Americans should not have their tax dollars pay for vehicles that
most Americans don’t want, can’t afford, and don’t work for them or their families. Americans should not be dependent on Communist China like we are today with electric vehicles.
“Lee Zeldin will continue President Trump’s mission to roll back punishing, political regulations.
“The EPA does important work in states and local communities.
“Lee will be a fantastic partner to my home state of Wyoming.
“He will not impose one-size-fits-all mandates on American consumers and businesses. Instead, he will cut red tape. We will see a new wave of creativity and innovation.
“Lee knows that innovation, not government intervention, is the best solution to lower prices, to grow the economy, and to protect our environment.
“Many Americans are confident that Lee will right the ship and restore balance at the EPA.
“One of those organizations is the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.
“In a letter to the Committee, the Association said that Lee has ‘shown a willingness to engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to address pressing issues.’
“Lee also impressed our colleagues here in the Senate. This is what my Democrat colleague from Arizona said about Lee: ‘He’s a qualified candidate for this job.’
“I share America’s confidence in Lee.
“Through three hours of tough questions, Lee Zeldin proved he is well-qualified.
“He showed he is committed to strong environmental protection and energy production.
“He is the right nominee to lead the EPA. The Senate should confirm him quickly.”
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