EPA Administrator Zeldin Testifies Before House E&C and Senate EPW
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
On Tuesday, May 20, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to discuss the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 EPA Budget. Committee members raised questions about key aspects of the proposed budget and EPA operations since the change in administration.
Representative Tonko (NY) voiced strong concerns over proposed cuts to both the State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and categorical grants, warning of the detrimental impact on America’s water infrastructure. He also expressed concern over the potential weakening of PFAS standards and questioned how the reorganization of the Office of Research and Development (ORD) might affect EPA’s ability to meet its statutory obligations. Representative Pallone (NJ) shared these concerns, emphasizing that the budget’s reductions in SRF and categorical grant funding represent an abandonment of state partners and a threat to the safety of drinking water. Representative Auchincloss (MA) raised the issue of PFAS backsliding, asking how EPA would address these contaminants amid proposed SRF cuts.
In response, Administrator Zeldin underscored that science and research are being elevated within all offices at EPA and emphasized the agency’s commitment to fulfilling its statutory obligations efficiently. The full hearing is available here.
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
On Wednesday, May 21, Administrator Zeldin appeared before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to continue discussion of the FY 2026 EPA Budget. Senators expressed concerns similar to those raised in the House.
Senator Capito (WV), Chair of the Committee, questioned Administrator Zeldin about the rationale for cutting SRF funding, emphasizing the critical role the SRFs play in supporting water infrastructure projects nationwide. Zeldin explained that the reductions were intended to limit the number of congressionally directed grants drawing from SRF accounts. While Senator Capito acknowledged ongoing frustrations over congressionally directed spending affecting SRF allocations, she cautioned that drastically reducing overall SRF funding would not solve the underlying issue.
The full Senate hearing is available here.
