Lee Zeldin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lee Zeldin
Official portrait, 2025
17th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Incumbent
Assumed office January 29, 2025
President	Donald Trump
Deputy	David Fotouhi (nominee)
Preceded by	Michael S. Regan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Tim Bishop
Succeeded by	Nick LaLota
Member of the New York State Senate from the 3rd district
In office January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2014
Preceded by	Brian X. Foley
Succeeded by	Thomas Croci
Personal details
Born	Lee Michael Zeldin (1980-01-30) January 30, 1980 (age 45) East Meadow, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Diana Gidish
Children	2
Relatives	Isaiah Zeldin (uncle)
Education	University at Albany, SUNY (BA) Albany Law School (JD)
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	2003–2007 (active) 2007–present (reserve)
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Unit	Military Intelligence Corps
Battles/wars	Global War on Terrorism

Lee Michael Zeldin (born January 30, 1980) is an American lawyer, politician, and officer in the United States Army Reserve. He became the 17th administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on January 29, 2025.

As a member of the Republican Party, he served in the United States House of Representatives for New York's 1st district from 2015 to 2023. Before that, Zeldin was a member of the New York State Senate from 2011 to 2014. In 2022, he ran for governor of New York but lost to the current governor, Kathy Hochul.

Early Life and Education

Lee Zeldin was born in East Meadow, New York. He grew up in Suffolk County, New York, and finished high school in 1998. He also went to Hebrew school.

He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the SUNY University at Albany in 2001. In 2003, he received his law degree from Albany Law School. He became a lawyer in New York in 2004.

Military Service and Legal Work

Zeldin joined the United States Army in 2003 as a second lieutenant. He served on active duty until 2007, working in the Military Intelligence Corps. After that, he joined the Army Reserve, where he is now a lieutenant colonel.

In 2007, Zeldin became a lawyer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. In 2008, he opened his own law firm in Smithtown, New York. He worked there full-time until he was elected to the New York State Senate in 2010.

New York State Senate (2011–2014)

In 2010, Zeldin ran for the New York State Senate in the 3rd District. He won against the Democratic leader, Brian X. Foley. Zeldin was reelected in 2012.

In 2011, Zeldin helped pass a law that limited property tax increases to 2%. In June 2011, he voted against the Marriage Equality Act, which allowed same-sex marriage in New York. He stated that he believed marriage should be between a man and a woman.

In 2012, Zeldin helped create a support program for veterans with PTSD. He was not present for the vote on the NY SAFE Act, a gun control bill, because he was on Army Reserve duty. He later said he would have voted against it.

In 2014, Zeldin introduced a bill to stop the use of the Common Core school curriculum for three years. He also voted against the New York Dream Act, which would have given financial aid to undocumented students for college.

U.S. House of Representatives (2015-2023)

Lee Zeldin served as a U.S. Representative, which means he was a member of the United States House of Representatives. This is part of the U.S. Congress, where lawmakers create federal laws.

Elections

2008

In 2008, Zeldin first ran for Congress but lost to Tim Bishop.

2014

In 2013, Zeldin announced he would run for Congress again. He won the Republican primary and then defeated Tim Bishop in the main election.

2016

Zeldin ran for reelection in 2016 and won against Anna Throne-Holst.

2018

Zeldin during his time in Congress.

In 2018, Zeldin won his reelection campaign against Perry Gershon.

2020

Zeldin was reelected in 2020, defeating Nancy Goroff.

Key Actions in Congress

As of 2020, Zeldin was one of two Jewish Republicans in Congress. In 2022, Russia banned Zeldin and many other Americans from entering their country.

Committee Work

While in the House, Zeldin worked on several important committees:

• Committee on Foreign Affairs: This committee deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries.
• Committee on Financial Services: This committee handles topics related to banks, money, and the economy.

2022 Gubernatorial Campaign

In April 2021, Zeldin announced he would run for governor of New York. He received strong support from Republican leaders in New York. His campaign raised millions of dollars, mostly from small donations.

Zeldin won the Republican primary election in June 2022. He then faced the current governor, Kathy Hochul, in the November general election. Although he received a high number of votes for a Republican, Zeldin lost the election to Governor Hochul.

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (2025-present)

In November 2024, Lee Zeldin was chosen by President Donald Trump to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is a government agency that protects human health and the environment.

His confirmation hearing, where lawmakers questioned him, took place on January 16, 2025. The Senate approved his nomination on January 29, and he was sworn into office by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Political Views

Bail Reform

Zeldin has spoken against New York's bail reform law, which changed how people are released from jail before trial. He has called for the law to be changed or removed.

Education

In 2015, Zeldin helped pass an amendment to a bill that allowed states to choose not to use Common Core without facing penalties.

Environment

In 2014, Zeldin had expressed some doubts about how serious climate change was. However, during his confirmation hearing to lead the EPA, Zeldin stated that climate change is a real issue that needs to be addressed.

He also worked on bills to help manage fishing quotas and protect the Long Island Sound from dumped waste. During his campaign for governor in 2021, he said he would reverse New York's ban on hydraulic fracturing (fracking). In 2022, he voted against the Inflation Reduction Act.

Foreign Affairs

Zeldin has often said that Israel is a very important ally to the United States. He has supported laws that oppose boycotts against Israel. He also supported moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

He praised the Abraham Accords, which were peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations.

Health Care

In 2015, Zeldin supported bills to fight Lyme disease. In 2017, he voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Zeldin helped get protective equipment for Suffolk County. He is vaccinated against COVID-19. However, he has spoken against vaccine requirements for healthcare workers and mask or vaccine requirements for schoolchildren.

Infrastructure

Zeldin voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bill that provided funding for roads, bridges, and other public works projects.

Land Management

In 2016, Zeldin introduced a bill to stop the federal government from selling Plum Island to the highest bidder. His bill passed the House of Representatives.

Taxes

Zeldin voted against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. He was concerned about how the bill limited deductions for state and local taxes, which he felt would hurt some states more than others.

Trump Administration

Zeldin supported Donald Trump when he ran for president in 2016. During Trump's presidency, Zeldin was a strong supporter. He defended Trump during his first impeachment hearings.

After the 2020 presidential election, Zeldin was one of many Republican lawmakers who supported a lawsuit that challenged the election results. In 2023, he again endorsed Donald Trump for president.

Veterans Affairs

Zeldin has focused on helping veterans. In 2015, he introduced a bill to remove the loan limit for veterans' home loans. In 2016, he proposed federal funding for a nationwide peer-support program for veterans, similar to one he helped start in New York.

Personal Life

Lee Zeldin was raised in a Jewish family. His wife, Diana, is Mormon. They have twin daughters and live in Shirley, New York. Zeldin has family members who were also important rabbis.

In September 2021, Zeldin shared that he had been diagnosed with leukemia in 2020 but was now in remission after treatment.

Other Political Work

In 2023, Zeldin started a group called Leadership America Needs. This group aims to encourage more young people and people of color to vote Republican.

Electoral History

See also

In Spanish: Lee Zeldin para niños

• List of Jewish members of the United States Congress