Lee Zeldin said the federal government must adopt a strict zero-tolerance policy toward waste and abuse, regardless of which party controls Washington.
Citing a canceled multibillion-dollar program, he argued that taxpayer money had been routed through layers of intermediaries who took large cuts before any funds reached their intended purpose.
Zeldin highlighted what investigators found inside the program.
He said, “Should have a zero tolerance policy, no matter who’s in charge of government any given time for any waste and abuse whatsoever. And get this we found in one program, solar for all, which is a $7 billion program that we have canceled and Congress has rescinded, that the money was going through at times four pass throughs.”
He said each intermediary took a sizable share of the funds.
Zeldin continued, “So $1 would go through four passers where each of them were taking at least 15 to 25% cut.”
He argued that this structure made the program inherently inefficient and unacceptable for any responsible government.
Zeldin said expectations for good governance should not depend on which administration is in power.
He stated, “So if Listen, we’re going to be honest and fair and good stewards of tax dollars. That zero tolerance policy should be the way, whether it’s President Trump in office or his predecessor.”
He then criticized the prior administration for failing to uphold those standards when it held unified control of Congress. Zeldin said, “Unfortunately, his predecessor wouldn’t had one party rule in Congress. They were lighting tax dollars on fire, left and right to pay off their friends.”
Zeldin said the cancellation of the program demonstrates a renewed focus on oversight and accountability, with the goal of preventing similar waste in future spending initiatives.
WATCH:
🚨 HOLY CRAP! Lee Zeldin confirms he had to cancel $30 BILLION dollars at the EPA because Democrats were dishing out billions to their political “friends”
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 7, 2025
EPA is getting a major DOGE!
“Since Day ONE, the Trump EPA has implemented a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for ANY waste and… pic.twitter.com/ZNL1iikaOq
