Energy Lobbyist Aaron Szabo to Lead EPA's Air and Radiation Office

Szabo becomes the latest Trump nominee confirmed in a party-line vote in the Senate.

The U.S. Senate today held a recorded vote to confirm one individual nominated by President Donald Trump to serve in the executive branch of government - specifically in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led by Administrator Lee Zeldin since January 2025.

In a 49-47 vote, Aaron Szabo was confirmed as Assistant Administrator of the EPA for Air and Radiation. The position has been held by an acting official since January 2025, when Joseph Goffman resigned after serving since January 2021 (though only became the Senate-confirmed leader in January 2024).

49 Republicans approved Szabo’s nomination. All 45 Democrats and two Independents voted in opposition. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) did not vote.

Szabo was nominated to this position by Trump in January 2025. During the first Trump administration, he served as Senior Counsel to the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Szabo spent a decade as a federal employee - working at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as well as the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. He has also been a lobbyist for Faegre Drinker Biddle & Death LLP and CGCN Group, representing Duke Energy and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers.