Washington D.C.- In response to today’s Senate confirmation hearings of Lee Zeldin to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Doug Burgum to lead the Department of the Interior, and Pam Bondi for Attorney General, the League of Conservation voters (LCV) released the following statements:
“The confirmation hearing for Lee Zeldin, who holds an abysmal 14% lifetime score on LCV’s National Environmental Scorecard and has no significant environmental experience, to lead the nation’s foremost agency tasked with protecting the environment raises troubling questions about what he will prioritize,” said Vice President of Federal Policy, and former EPA scientist, Matthew Davis. “Will it be protecting frontline communities who are impacted by air and water pollution and the fossil-fueled climate crisis firsthand, or will it be weakening health and safety regulations as favors for Trump’s ultra wealthy friends? Not only did Zeldin vote against the Inflation Reduction Act — the largest investment in clean energy and climate action ever — and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which directed billions of dollars to the EPA to remove all lead drinking water pipes, he also voted to block carbon pollution limits for power plants and against appropriations to extend the national flood insurance program. Today’s hearing solidifies what we knew all along; Zeldin will not prioritize the health and safety of our communities or environment and will lead EPA into the ground.”
“Billionaire Doug Burgum’s testimony today shows the extent of his loyalty to Trump’s fossil fuel agenda and proves that he should not be trusted in the role of Interior Secretary,” said Conservation Program Director, America Fitzpatrick. “Burgum must understand that as the Secretary of the Interior, he will be tasked with stewarding all of our public lands and waters, not just national parks, and that they are to be treasured, not exploited to line the pockets of his oil and gas cronies. Moreover, his prioritization of an energy policy that promotes risky drilling and oxymoronic ‘clean coal’ would be far costlier for consumers than cheaper, faster, cleaner energy solutions like wind, solar, and geothermal. Today’s hearing confirms that Burgum is committed to more drilling and pipelines, no matter the cost to local communities, consumers, and the environment. We oppose his nomination and urge Senators to reject him.”
“Pam Bondi’s hearing demonstrated once again her loyalty is to Donald Trump, corporate interests, and far-right extremists, not the Constitution and the people,” said Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner. “During this hearing, Bondi repeatedly refused to disavow Trump’s many threats to weaponize law enforcement against political opponents and investigators, as well as FBI Director nominee Kash Patel’s “enemies list”– a disqualifying sign that our freedoms are not safe in her hands.
Bondi’s confirmation hearing as well as her clear anti-climate, anti-democracy record both as Florida Attorney General and in private practice shows she lacks the integrity, impartiality, and honesty necessary to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement officer, with responsibility for equal justice under law and for enforcement of critical protections for our environment and democracy. Because she would help Donald Trump undermine the rule of law and weaponize the Justice Department, and because she cannot be trusted to enforce environmental and voting rights laws, the Senate must reject this nomination and insist on an Attorney General who works for the people, not just the president and his Big Polluter friends.”
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