Trump Cabinet Nominees Face Senate Scrutiny on Taxes, Environment, and Climate Policies

Senate hearings reveal priorities and challenges for Treasury, Interior, and EPA nominees under Trump’s incoming administration.

Treasury nominee Scott Bessent emphasized extending the 2017 tax cuts as a top priority, warning of significant middle-class tax increases if they expire.
Bessent faced questions on tariffs, defending their economic impact while arguing that the U.S. has a spending, not revenue, problem.
Interior nominee Doug Burgum pledged to uphold the law and Constitution, supporting Trump’s ‘energy dominance’ agenda to lower energy costs for Americans.
EPA nominee Lee Zeldin acknowledged climate change as real but avoided committing to regulatory obligations on greenhouse gas emissions, citing flexibility in Supreme Court rulings.
Zeldin sought to balance environmental protection with economic concerns, addressing skepticism from Democrats over his past ties to industry and anti-climate positions.