OPINION:
As a member and now chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, I have seen firsthand my former colleague Lee Zeldin’s commitment to the environment while ensuring America remains economically competitive on the global stage, especially against the Chinese Communist Party.
In Congress, Lee was also a member of the Conservative Climate Caucus, a House group that believes in reducing emissions, not energy choices. We also believe that American innovation – not government fiats or bureaucrats – will lead to technological breakthroughs to reduce emissions.
When President Trump announced his intention to appoint Lee to the position of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, I was very pleased. Lee’s legal background will serve the American people well. He will issue fair and swift actions that will unleash America’s economic power while promoting a cleaner, healthier planet.
In congressional hearings, I repeatedly questioned Biden EPA Administrator Michael Regan after his misguided tailpipe emission rule, which would require two-thirds of all cars on the road in 2032 to be electric. Despite a misguided, monumental rule, Regan did not know how many cars were on the road at the time, how much increased electricity demand was created, how that electricity would be generated and did not have a plan for the electric charging infrastructure to meet such demand. That is absurd and why the American people voted Republicans into the White House and both chambers of Congress.
I know Lee will bring more shrewd, thoughtful leadership to the EPA to implement common-sense measures to help the American people, not out-of-touch decrees from a bureaucratic perch in Washington.
As a fellow Army veteran, I am grateful for his service to our nation as part of the 82nd Airborne Division in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Through his military service, Lee understands that energy security is national security and that the Chinese Communist Party remains the greatest threat to America and reducing emissions. His Army service will be another asset at the EPA.
Personally, I have seen his leadership skills on Capitol Hill. Lee was a mentor to incoming freshmen members, helping them navigate the labyrinth of protocol and parliamentary procedure that comprises the House of Representatives.
Lee was also a serious legislator and workhorse. During House Republican Conference meetings with leadership, Lee frequently voiced succinct and relevant suggestions to leadership, which often heeded his advice.
While representing Long Island in Congress, Lee championed local conservation and access to and preservation of the Long Island Sound. He also co-founded the PFAS Task Force to combat the threat of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and protect our communities from these hazardous chemicals. He also secured critical funding for energy research at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Despite what you may hear from media pundits and naysayers, Messrs. Trump, Zeldin, and Republicans understand that economic prosperity and reducing emissions are not mutually exclusive. In addition, I am confident Lee will support Mr. Trump’s vision for biofuels being essential to our country’s energy future.
An all-the-above energy mix is essential because energy demand in the US and around the world will only continue to increase, especially with advancements in artificial intelligence and data centers. In fact, Microsoft just announced it will spend $80 billion on AI-enabled data centers.
If done right, America can meet this demand—and do it cleaner than China or any other nation.
I look forward to Lee’s swift confirmation by the Senate to the Executive Branch to help President Trump unleash energy dominance and deliver for the America First agenda while maintaining the highest levels of clean air and energy throughout our beautiful nation.
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks represents Iowa’s First Congressional District in Washington and serves as Chairwoman of the Conservative Climate Caucus.
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