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EPA Chief Zeldin Defends Trump’s Budget Plan
Administrator Says Regulatory Rollbacks Will Lower Costs and Strengthen Economy
Key Takeaways:
- EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal 2027 EPA budget before congressional appropriators April 27.
- Zeldin said regulatory rollbacks and operational reductions would cut costs, strengthen the economy and boost energy production.
- Lawmakers have not released EPA funding levels, while Congress also is weighing a DOT request totaling $114.1 billion.
WASHINGTON — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin recently defended the Trump administration’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget for the agency before congressional funding leaders.
During high-profile hearings, he argued that planned operational reductions and comprehensive regulatory rollbacks would lower costs and strengthen the economy.
The White House’s budget proposal drew questions from lawmakers in both parties as Zeldin outlined the administration’s approach to chemicals regulation, climate change policy and broader efforts meant to scale back federal regulations.
“Less than 60 days into this administration, we launched the largest deregulatory agenda in U.S. history,” Zeldin told appropriators April 27, citing more than 30 actions he said were aimed at boosting energy production as well as economic growth. President Donald Trump, he added, promised and delivered on “a government that actually works for the people.”
Earlier this year, the administration rescinded the EPA’s endangerment finding — the scientific determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare — marking its most significant climate policy rollback to date. Zeldin said the move was intended to end what he described as years of regulatory instability.
“Without apology, the agency is ending years of regulatory whiplash, dismantling the unlawful crown jewel of climate activists and putting affordability ahead of alarmism,” he said.
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Zeldin called the action “the single largest deregulatory action in American history,” arguing it would reduce federal influence over the economy, safeguard taxpayers and lower the cost of new vehicles.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), chairman of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, endorsed Zeldin’s budget outlook. The chairman observed, “This administration is focused on right-sizing the EPA and returning the focus of the agency to its statutory requirements.”
“The agency ballooned in size in recent years, in part due to $100 billion in supplemental funding from bills outside of the annual appropriations process,” Simpson added. “The amount of supplemental funding totaled more than 10 times the discretionary budget of the entire EPA.”
The policy shift is being closely watched by industry stakeholders. American Trucking Associations has consistently pressed EPA to further examine emissions standards. The group has warned certain rules could create significant operational challenges for motor carriers.
Lawmakers have not yet released their proposed fiscal 2027 funding levels for the EPA.
Congress also is weighing the administration’s fiscal 2027 budget request for the Department of Transportation. Under the proposal, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would receive $946 million.
Of that total, $398 million would be allocated to motor carrier safety operations and programs, while $548 million would fund motor carrier safety grants. DOT said the request would allow FMCSA to remain focused on targeting high-risk carriers and unsafe behaviors. The trucking regulator also would further reduce service barriers and deploy modern technology tools to improve safety and regulatory effectiveness.
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The administration said it is focused on improving roadway safety through accountability, compliance and enforcement.
The White House’s budget request also outlines funding levels for other DOT agencies. This includes $66.2 billion for the Federal Highway Administration to support faster project delivery and increased flexibility for state and local partners. It proposes $16.3 billion for the Federal Transit Administration, $2.8 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration and $1.3 billion for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Overall, the fiscal 2027 request seeks $114.1 billion in new budgetary resources for DOT, including $26.8 billion in discretionary budget authority and $87.3 billion in mandatory funding. DOT said the proposed programs and management initiatives would support the department’s safety mission. Specific to FHWA, DOT indicated the budget request would “enhance safety, accelerate project delivery, expand opportunity, and empower states and local partners to deliver the transportation infrastructure America needs.”
Trump’s nonbinding budget proposal is marked by a sizable increase in defense spending.
