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

Zeldin, who aims to promote deregulation at the EPA, received confirmation with a vote tally of 56 in favor and 42 against.

Trump has expressed intentions to reverse various environmental regulations, stating when he introduced Zeldin as his EPA choice that he would “ensure fair and rapid deregulatory actions that unleash the strength of American businesses.”

“We need to balance protecting the environment with the need to protect our economy,” Zeldin remarked during his confirmation hearing.

At 44, Zeldin is an attorney and previously served as a state senator representing Long Island, New York. He completed four years of active duty in the Army, including a deployment to Iraq, and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. Elected to Congress in 2014, he served for eight years and lost his bid for the New York gubernatorial position in 2022.

Trump has downplayed worries about climate change, heavily campaigning against measures that support electric vehicles and swiftly withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate upon his inauguration.

During his confirmation hearing, Zeldin stated he acknowledges the reality of climate change; however, he has criticized initiatives aimed at reducing emissions that contribute to rising temperatures. He also pushed for the repeal of New York’s prohibition on fracking for natural gas.

Zeldin has been one of several cabinet nominees from Trump questioned for their qualifications in environmental matters. While he lacks a prominent background in environmental issues, he has been a loyal ally of the president, even voting against the certification of the 2020 election results following Trump’s defeat.