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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a Republican, speaks as the U.S. vice president visits East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., February 3, 2025.
The EPA’s new mission: business first, environment last
The new administration has already revised its legal framework for regulating greenhouse gas emissions, rolled back CO₂ and mercury limits on power plants, and reversed tailpipe regulations that were steering the US auto industry toward electric vehicles. Achieving Zeldin’s new vision means slashing environmental regulations, a move that earned Donald Trump praise on the campaign trail. These changes should make it cheaper and easier for businesses to build and expand.
While this may be good news for gas prices, it’s bad news for the environment and public health. The administration has called for the closure of all EPA offices addressing the disproportionately high levels of air and water pollution in poor communities, pollution that has been linked to higher rates of cancer and respiratory illnesses. These changes follow last year’s Supreme Court Chevron decision, which stripped the agency of much of its regulatory authority over industries.Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Harris for President Campaign Rally on Tuesday July 23, 2024 at West Allis Central High School in West Allis, Wis.
Obamas endorse Kamala Harris for president
Barack and Michelle ObamaendorsedKamala Harris as the Democratic nominee for US president on Friday, joining other high-profile Democratic Party leaders in backing the vice president’s bid for the White House.
“We called to say Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” the former president told Harris.
The announcement capped a big first week for Harris. Her campaign raised a whopping $231 million in just a few days, and Harris has already started to narrow Donald Trump’s lead in key swing states. Although she is still behind in four of the five states, she has substantiallyclosed the gap left by President Joe Biden.
Trump’s biggest lead is in Arizona, where he stands 5 points above Harris. But when Biden was the nominee, Trump was ahead by 10 points. The former president is now ahead of Harris by only 2 points in Georgia and Pennsylvania; by 1 point in Michigan; and in Wisconsin, the candidates are tied.
As Harris narrows the gap, she is alsobreaking fundraising records and galvanizing youth voters. But it is too soon to tell whether this momentum is sustainable or just a short-term swell of enthusiasm following Biden’s decision to exit the race.
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Interested in who Harris might choose as her vice-presidential running mate? Click here to learn about the contenders.