EPA Furloughs Thousands Amid Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been forced to furlough around 4,000 employees due to the ongoing government shutdown. This has hindered progress on critical initiatives, prompting Secretary Lee Zeldin to criticize Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for allegedly prioritizing “far-left activists.”
Zeldin, who previously served as a Republican congressman from New York, shared the consequences of the shutdown with reporters at the agency’s headquarters on Tuesday. He explained that while they had some carryover funds initially, the situation remains precarious. “Complete furloughs in government represent about 89%. Last Monday marked the first substantial furlough affecting the government,” he stated. “That number was approximately 4,000 people.”
The EPA employed about 16,155 people in January, but is projected to drop below 12,500 by year’s end. Zeldin noted there’s “still a little bit more room” in that goal, but if the situation deteriorates further, more than 11,000 employees could be furloughed.
He emphasized that many employees are still working but cautioned that funds to sustain their salaries are dwindling. “Everyone who’s ever worked has been paid, thanks to leveraging the rollover funds. However, once that money is gone, that’s it,” he explained, adding that some workers in “certain positions” will need to continue working without pay.
“We’re not trying to cause more suffering; we’re trying to alleviate it,” he said, referencing the recent furloughs. “When the money runs out, it’s gone.”
When discussing specific EPA projects affected by the shutdown, Zeldin pointed to the brownfield program, which provides vital grants and assistance for cleaning up contaminated sites across the nation. “There are really important projects,” he noted, “but progress is stalled without the employees to lead them.” His hope is for a quick resolution so all employees can return to work.
Regarding Schumer’s role in the shutdown, Zeldin accused him of prioritizing the interests of the far left. “It seems like he’s just trying to pick a fight for a stronghold of far-left activists,” Zeldin commented, noting that Schumer’s motivations may stem from pressures within his home state.
“Democrats are looking for any context or narrative to justify their actions,” he added. “At the end of the day, it all seems to come down to a desire to satisfy a far-left base that wants them to resist and obstruct.”
Earlier in July, the EPA reached an agreement to address the longstanding Tijuana River sewage crisis with Mexico, which involved signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement aims to put an end to the flow of untreated sewage impacting Southern California.
The MOU included a timeline for evaluating construction schedules, with a 100-day deadline approaching on November 1st. When asked if the shutdown affected this progress, Zeldin asserted that the agency remains “fully committed.” He indicated that the deadline is nearing, but the work has just commenced. “We eagerly await an update on what’s needed to expedite the project timeline for a permanent solution,” he said, while reiterating that it’s a priority for President Trump.
