Washington, D.C. — Today, the Senate held a confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s nominee for EPA Administrator, Lee Zeldin. Like many of Trump’s other nominees, Zeldin raises serious concerns about the future of responsible investing, the clean energy economy, and America’s financial security.
In response, Unlocking America’s Future Spokesperson Kyle Herrig said the following:
“The head of the nation’s leading environmental policy group should at a minimum have some environmental policy qualifications aside from being paid to push harmful policies that benefit Trump and his billionaire cronies, while hurting American businesses, consumers and the economy. Senators have an obligation to reject Zeldin’s dangerous nomination.”
Additional Background:
- Business Insider reported that former Rep. Lee Zeldin made $186,000 from paid op-eds and speeches where he criticized ESG and responsible investing policies.
- In August 2024, Zeldin published a guest essay in New York Newsday entitled “War on ESG investing must shift focus to proxy advisers.” In the essay, Zeldin attacked “Wall Street and special interests” for trying to “force environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, policies into our workplace, retirements, and lives.”
- In another op-ed published in March 2023 for Real Clear Policy, Zeldin called on Congress to investigate ESG practices and the nonprofit watchdog Better Markets.
- There is every indication that Zeldin was selected for the role of EPA Administrator because of his loyalty to Donald Trump and that he will fulfill Trump’s agenda to “kill” and “cancel” EPA rules and regulations regarding climate change.
