Here’s what Americans need to know.
Washington, D.C. — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin is sounding the alarm, warning that up to 89% of EPA employees could soon be furloughed if Democrats continue to block efforts to reopen the government.
Speaking at the EPA’s headquarters, Zeldin revealed that 4,000 federal workers have already been sent home. The rest, he said, are hanging on only because of temporary multi-year funding that’s about to run out.
“If the shutdown lasts into early November, we’ll have no choice but to move into the next phase,” Zeldin warned. “That means even deeper furloughs — something we’d rather avoid.”
Democrats Block GOP Plan for 13th Time
Senate Democrats blocked a vote to reopen the government for the 13th time on Tuesday, stalling vital programs that millions of Americans depend on — including SNAP food assistance, military pay, and healthcare enrollment.
If the shutdown continues, SNAP benefits will run out this Saturday — the same day ObamaCare enrollment begins, creating chaos for families already struggling with Biden-era inflation.
Zeldin blasted Democrats for what he called “political obstruction for the sake of power.”
“The far-left is pushing Democrats to resist anything that helps this administration succeed,” Zeldin said. “They’d rather hurt Americans than hand President Trump a win.”
EPA Cleanup, Climate Rules Put on Hold
Important projects like the Brownfields cleanup program — which restores land contaminated by pollutants — are now on hold. Proposed environmental rules are also frozen until lawmakers act.
“We have carryover funding, but once that’s gone, the full lapse plan kicks in,” Zeldin explained. “This shutdown has real-world consequences — and Democrats know it.”
Trump Team Slashes Climate Slush Funds
While Democrats grandstand, the Trump administration is making good on its promise to drain the swamp and end wasteful spending.
Zeldin’s EPA has already cut over $29 billion in unnecessary programs — including $20 billion from Biden’s “climate slush fund” and $8 billion in solar giveaways to politically connected groups.
White House Budget Director Russ Vought also canceled $8 billion in “green” spending from the Department of Energy, calling it “reckless waste at a time of fiscal responsibility.”
Rolling Back Obama’s ‘Climate Religion’
Zeldin is also taking aim at the Obama-era “Endangerment Finding,” a 2009 ruling that empowered bureaucrats to impose $1 trillion in climate regulations.
Calling it “the holy grail of climate change religion,” Zeldin said eliminating the rule would save American energy consumers more than $54 billion every year while freeing businesses from crushing federal oversight.
“We’re restoring common sense,” he declared. “No more regulation for regulation’s sake.”
The Big Picture: Trump’s War on Waste
Under President Trump’s leadership, the GOP is using the shutdown to expose Washington’s bloated bureaucracy — and to remind taxpayers that the federal government works for them, not the other way around.
If Democrats keep blocking funding bills, agencies like the EPA may face a massive downsizing that could reshape Washington for years to come.
“This isn’t about politics,” Zeldin concluded. “It’s about accountability — and putting taxpayers first.”
