WASHINGTON -- Former Long Island congressman Lee Zeldin denied that he will favor industry over the environment and declared he thinks climate change is real as he faced questions Thursday on his nomination to be the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Mr. Zeldin, a Trump loyalist, would be charged with dismantling climate rules and perhaps the agency itself. He faced questions from the Senate Thursday.

Zeldin will appear Thursday before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for his confirmation hearing to be the next administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Long Island environmentalists offered mixed reviews of Lee Zeldin's answers during his Senate confirmation hearing for EPA administrator.

Upon returning to the White House, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, ending birthright citizenship and delaying the TikTok ban.

I believe that climate change is real,” Zeldin said, adding that he would work to “ensure we are protecting our environment, while also protecting our economy.”

Former Long Island congressman Lee Zeldin will face tough questions from Democrats about his fitness to be the EPA administrator at a Senate hearing Thursday, but he appears to be on a path to confirmation.

The Senate intensifies confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet picks, with Scott Bessent, Doug Burgum, and Lee Zeldin defending their qualifications. Meanwhile, Pam Bondi faces further scrutiny in a second round of questioning.

After four years out of office, he vows to quickly undo many of the policies of his departing predecessor, Joe Biden.

The Senate's environmental committee questioned former congressman on his views on climate change and fossil fuels. Zeldin has little experience heading an agen

President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will appear before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee