On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed former congressman Lee Zeldin to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator under President Donald Trump.

Zeldin, who is anticipated to advocate for deregulation initiatives at the EPA, received confirmation with a vote tally of 56 in favor and 42 against.

Upon Zeldin’s nomination, Trump expressed his intention to revise environmental regulations, stating he would “ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will unleash the potential of American businesses.”

“It’s essential to protect both our environment and our economy,” Zeldin remarked during his confirmation hearing.

At 44 years old, Zeldin is a lawyer and a former state senator from Long Island, New York. He served four years of active duty in the Army, including deployment to Iraq, and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. He was elected to Congress in 2014 and served for eight years before unsuccessfully running for governor of New York in 2022.

Trump has largely downplayed the significance of climate change. He strongly opposed regulations promoting electric vehicles and quickly withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement after assuming office.

During his confirmation hearing, Zeldin stated that he acknowledges climate change as a reality but has criticized initiatives aimed at reducing emissions that contribute to global warming. He also supported lifting the ban on fracking for natural gas in New York.

Zeldin joins a group of Trump Cabinet appointees who have faced scrutiny regarding their qualifications. Although his public track record on environmental issues is limited, he has consistently supported Trump, even voting against the certification of the 2020 election results after Trump’s defeat.