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She demanded to know how the agency could justify pulling back environmental enforcement at a time when she claimed climate change is “flooding our streets” and “poisoning our air.”
Zeldin did not back down.
Instead, he calmly answered that his agency is following the law as written by Congress, specifically citing Section 202 of the Clean Air Act. He then challenged DeLauro directly, asking where in that statute Congress explicitly instructed the EPA to wage a campaign against global climate change.
That question appeared to catch the congresswoman off guard.
Zeldin then raised one of the most important Supreme Court rulings in recent memory: Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo. The 2024 decision overturned the Chevron doctrine, which for decades allowed federal bureaucracies broad power to interpret vague laws and expand their authority.
Under the new ruling, agencies like the EPA no longer receive automatic judicial deference when stretching statutes beyond their plain meaning.
When Zeldin asked DeLauro if she was familiar with the case, she admitted uncertainty.
“Maybe others are but I’m not…” she said.
That confession only intensified the exchange.
Zeldin explained that Loper Bright means executive agencies cannot simply “get creative” with laws passed by Congress. If lawmakers want new climate authority, Congress must legislate it directly rather than allowing unelected regulators to invent it.
DeLauro then erupted.
“You do not, excuse, you don’t have the right to say climate change does not exist, that it’s a hoax!” she shouted.
Zeldin never claimed either point during the hearing, but the accusation signaled the conversation had shifted from legal interpretation to political theater.
The EPA administrator then cited another major Supreme Court defeat for climate regulators: West Virginia v. EPA, the landmark 2022 case that limited the agency’s ability to reshape the nation’s energy grid without clear congressional authorization.
Again, DeLauro appeared frustrated as Zeldin pressed the issue.
“I understand you’re upset, you don’t know what Loper Bright is. Do you know what the Major Policies Doctrine is?” Zeldin said.
“You’re a member of Congress you should know.”
The hearing only became more tense from there.
DeLauro attempted to regain control, reminding Zeldin that lawmakers control federal spending.
“You’re here because you need money from us, so hold up for a second! Wait for the questions and answer the questions!”
But Zeldin fired back by saying he had already answered.
“I answered your question and you didn’t like my answer because you don’t know what Loper Bright is, what EPA vs. West Virginia is….Because you’re asking me about Section 202 of the Clean Air Act and you don’t read it, you don’t know what it says.”
That remark triggered another outburst.
“This is the appropriations committee!” DeLauro shouted.
Zeldin responded by accusing critics of wanting to weaponize “science” only when politically convenient.
Then came the line that instantly spread online.
“I don’t have to listen to this BS!” DeLauro snapped.
WATCH:
Zeldin immediately answered:
“BS? You think I made up these cases?”
For many conservatives, the exchange highlighted a growing frustration with lawmakers who demand sweeping agency action while appearing unfamiliar with the legal limits imposed by the Constitution and the courts.
For the Trump administration, it was also a clear signal that regulatory agencies may no longer operate as unchecked policy machines.
Instead, if Congress wants climate mandates, lawmakers may finally have to do what voters sent them there to do: pass actual laws.
