Contention at Senate Hearing Over EPA Administrator’s Remark

California Senator Adam Schiff reacted strongly on Wednesday after Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Lee Zeldin referred to him as an “aspiring fiction writer.” The exchange occurred during a hearing conducted by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Schiff, known for his frequent assertions regarding former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and alleged Russian interference, inquired about the withdrawal of funding for Santa Ana.

“By the way, I understand that you are an aspiring fiction writer,” Zeldin remarked while reviewing the grant documents.

The House recently passed a resolution put forth by Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, which condemned Schiff for his claims linking Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign to Russian conspiracy—claims that have continued into 2023.

At that time, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Schiff from the House Intelligence Committee in January 2023, citing these claims as part of his rationale.

“Oh, yes. Well, I understand your view that you could cut half of your agency and that wouldn’t affect people’s health, or their water, or their air,” Schiff continued, challenging Zeldin’s perspective.

“Mr. Zeldin, if your child is drinking the water in Santa Ana, you wouldn’t be concerned about whether that water contains lead?” he pressed on. “Maybe I should come here and suggest that subsidies connected to the water must be seen as waste, fraud, or abuse. Because one could argue that money might be better spent cutting taxes for the wealthy, given your apparent focus on the oil industry.”