AOC Has Documentation of Emails to Bayer CEO
AOC: We have documentation here, emails from your Senior Advisor for Agricultural and Rural Affairs, saying that you were meeting with the Bayer CEO last year. He said in these emails that they will be bringing up some legal-slash-judicial issues. More specifically, in this internal email in your EPA, it says that Bayer was specifically seeking and discussing Supreme Court action. They will want an update on EPA‘s regulatory review. That, interestingly, Bayer will provide a small thanks for updating the glyphosate webpage from the EPA and work on MAHA. Do you have any idea what they might have been referring to in this email?
Lee Zeldin of EPA: Well, first off, as I mentioned a few minutes ago, it’s possible that the team was doing brainstorming of potential topics. Okay. As somebody who actually attended the meeting.
Bayer Thanking Lee Zeldin – Conflict of Interest, Supreme Court
AOC: Thank you. I’m sorry, I just have 40 seconds. I’m not trying to be rude. This glyphosate update that they’re referring to seems to be correlated to the EPA agency withdrawing its support for California’s cancer warning on glyphosate. Now, this is important because five days after the EPO this year, Bayer filed their opening brief to the Supreme Court, citing Trump’s executive order and hinging their case on the EPA‘s warnings, or lack thereof, of glyphosate. So we have internal emails from your agency saying that Bayer wanted to thank you and your agency for removing support for California’s warning because their case before the Supreme Court right now hinges on you not warning the American people and withdrawing your support on glyphosate. Do you understand the conflict of interest that is before the American people right now, Mr. Secretary?
Lee Zeldin of EPA: I understand.
Chairman Palmer: Gentlelady’s time has expired. Thank you. The gentleman may respond.
Lee Zeldin of EPA: Okay, so right now EPA is completing an assessment due in 2026. I understand glyphosate is a very important topic for many people in this country. This review that the EPA is being conducted, my guidance to dedicated career staffers, and then we have people who have been there for 20, 30 years, is that I don’t want to preach—
AOC: It’s taking a while, Secretary Zeldin, because…
Lee Zeldin of EPA: Let me answer.
Congress to Vote on this and Supreme Court
AOC: The Supreme Court is going to be making decisions this week on glyphosate, and Congress is voting this week on legal immunity.
Lee Zeldin of EPA: Okay, but you made your point. Now, I’m asking, do you mind if I answer? This is an important part of this, and I’m sure you also care.
AOC: I think the timing is also very important, Secretary Zeldin.
Chairman Palmer: Gentlelady’s time has expired. Thank you.
