Major Controversies Surrounding Lee Zeldin: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Lee Zeldin.

Lee Michael Zeldin is an American attorney, politician, and officer in the United States Army Reserve. A Republican, he served as the U.S. Representative for New York's 1st congressional district from 2015 to 2023. Prior to that, he was a member of the New York State Senate (2011-2014). Since January 2025, Zeldin has served as the 17th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 2011: Votes Against Marriage Equality Act

In June 2011, Lee Zeldin voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which the Senate passed 33–29 and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Zeldin stated his belief that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman.

2011: Voted Against Same-Sex Marriage in New York

In 2011, as a New York state senator, Lee Zeldin voted against allowing same-sex marriage in New York during the roll-call for the Marriage Equality Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in the state.

March 2014: Votes Against New York Dream Act

In March 2014, Lee Zeldin voted against the New York Dream Act, which would allow undocumented students who meet in-state tuition requirements to obtain financial aid to study at the university level.

2014: Doubts About Climate Change Severity

In 2014, Lee Zeldin expressed doubts about the severity of climate change.

May 2015: Voted for Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

In May 2015, Lee Zeldin voted for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill he co-sponsored, which would prohibit abortions in cases where the fetus's probable age is 20 weeks or more, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life was in danger. The act did not pass.

June 2015: Zeldin's View on Same-Sex Marriage

In June 2015, after the Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that state-level bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional, Lee Zeldin declined to comment on his view but suggested the issue should be decided at the state level.

September 18, 2015: Votes for Defund Planned Parenthood Act

On September 18, 2015, Lee Zeldin voted for the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015, a bill that would defund the nonprofit organization Planned Parenthood for one year unless the organization agreed not to provide abortion services.

May 4, 2017: Voted to Repeal Obamacare

On May 4, 2017, Lee Zeldin voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and pass the American Health Care Act.

December 2017: Voted Against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Lee Zeldin voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, passed in December 2017, due to concerns about the limit for property tax deductions.

April 2018: Zeldin's stance on the Paris Agreement

In April 2018, Lee Zeldin expressed that he did not support the Paris Agreement in its current form, citing concerns about the lack of responsibility from other countries regarding their contributions to climate change.

2018: Fundraisers with Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka

In 2018, Lee Zeldin's campaign featured fundraisers with Breitbart News founder Steve Bannon and Sebastian Gorka. Reporters were removed from the Gorka event.

May 2019: Voted Against the Equality Act

In May 2019, Lee Zeldin voted against the Equality Act.

January 2020: Joined Brief to Overturn Roe v. Wade

In January 2020, Lee Zeldin joined a "friend of the court" brief demanding that the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade.

2020: Participated in Rallies Without Masking or Social Distancing

During the 2020 election campaign, Lee Zeldin participated in campaign rallies without wearing a mask or adhering to social distancing guidelines.

January 6, 2021: Voted Against Certification of Electoral Votes

On January 6, 2021, after the U.S. Capitol attack, Lee Zeldin voted against certification of Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes, while disavowing the violence. On January 7, he acknowledged that Biden would be the next president.

July 1, 2021: Voted Against Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On July 1, 2021, Lee Zeldin voted against the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

November 5, 2021: Voted Against Senate Amendment to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

On November 5, 2021, Lee Zeldin voted against the Senate amendment to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

April 2022: Statements on Appointing Health Commissioner

In April 2022, Lee Zeldin said it would be "a great idea" to appoint a health commissioner who opposed abortion.

June 2022: Zeldin on Overturning of Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Lee Zeldin stated that it was "a victory for life, for family, for the Constitution, and for federalism."

October 2022: Zeldin's Stance on New York's Abortion Laws

In October 2022, Lee Zeldin stated that if elected governor, he would not change New York's abortion laws.

2022: Banned from Russia

Amid the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lee Zeldin was one of 963 Americans the Russian Foreign Ministry banned from entering Russia.

2022: Vote Against Inflation Reduction Act

In 2022, Lee Zeldin voted against the Inflation Reduction Act.

February 2025: Charges Against Organizations Receiving Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds

In February 2025, Lee Zeldin, working with the FBI, charged nonprofit and state government agencies that had legally received funding from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Citibank froze the accounts of organizations including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance without notice.

March 2025: EPA Deregulatory Announcement

In March 2025, Lee Zeldin, as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, presented what he described as the "largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history," reframing the agency's purpose towards deregulation and energy production in lieu of public health and environmental protections. Plans were announced to repeal major environmental regulations and cut the EPA's budget by 65%.