BREAKING: Lee Zeldin confirmed as EPA Administrator

The Senate on Wednesday voted to confirm Lee Zeldin as the next Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Senate voted 56-42 in favor of confirming Zeldin.

"CONFIRMED! Thank You to the 56 Senators for your vote and confidence," Zeldin wrote following the vote. "Grateful to President Donald Trump for having faith in me to be part of his Cabinet as EPA Administrator. Make America Great Again!"

Trump nominated Zeldin to the role in November, writing at the time, "Lee, with a very strong legal background, has been a true fighter for America First policies. He will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet."

"He will set new standards on environmental review and maintenance that will allow the United States to grow in a healthy and well-structured way," Trump added. "I have known Lee Zeldin for a long time, and have watched him handle, brilliantly, some extremely difficult and complex situations. I am very proud to have him in the Trump Administration, where he will quickly prove to be a great contributor!"

Zeldin said at the time, "I am deeply honored to have been asked by President Trump to serve in his Cabinet. As EPA Administrator, we will restore American energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, make the United States the global leader of Artificial Intelligence advancement, and slash the red tape holding back American workers from upward economic mobility."

"We will accomplish all this while conserving our environment, protecting access to clean air and water, and keeping the American people healthy. I look forward to contributing to President Trump’s agenda to build a more prosperous future for our nation."