Standing committee of the United States Senate
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Standing committee Formed February 4, 1977 Succeeded Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R ) Ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D ) Seats 19 members Political parties Majority (10)
Minority (9)
Policy areas Air pollution , Biodiversity , Bridges and dams , Environmental policy , Environmental management , Environmental science , Federal buildings , Fisheries and wildlife , Flood control , Highways and roads , Infrastructure generally, Light pollution , Marine debris , Noise pollution , Nuclear safety , Recycling , Soil contamination , Waste management , Water pollution , Water resources Oversight authority Appalachian Regional Commission , Council on Environmental Quality , Delta Regional Authority , Economic Development Administration , Federal Highway Administration , General Services Administration , Mississippi River Commission , Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation , Nuclear Regulatory Commission , Tennessee Valley Authority , U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , United States Environmental Protection Agency , U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service House counterpart House Committee on Energy and Commerce , House Committee on Natural Resources , House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology , House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. epw
The United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is responsible for legislation and oversight of the natural and built environment and for studying matters concerning environmental protection and resource conservation and utilitization .
In accordance of Rule XXV of the United States Senate, all proposed legislation, messages, petitions, memorials, and other matters relating to the following subjects is referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works:
Air pollution ;Construction and maintenance of highways ;Environmental aspects of Outer Continental Shelf lands;
Environmental effects of toxic substances, other than pesticides ;Environmental policy ;Environmental research and development ;Fisheries and wildlife ;Flood control and improvements of rivers and harbors , including environmental aspects of deepwater ports ;Noise pollution ;Nonmilitary environmental regulation and control of nuclear energy ;Ocean dumping ;Public buildings and improved grounds of the United States generally, including Federal buildings in the District of Columbia ;Public works , bridges , and dams ;Regional economic development ;Solid waste disposal and recycling ;Water pollution ; and,Water resources .[ 1] The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works is also charged to "study and review, on a comprehensive basis, matters relating to environmental protection and resource utilization and conservation , and report thereon from time to time."[ 1]
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Majority[ 2]
Minority[ 3]
Shelley Moore Capito , West Virginia, Chair Kevin Cramer , North DakotaCynthia Lummis , WyomingJohn Curtis , UtahLindsey Graham , South CarolinaDan Sullivan , AlaskaPete Ricketts , NebraskaRoger Wicker , MississippiJohn Boozman , ArkansasJon Husted , Ohio (from January 24, 2025)
Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode Island, Ranking Member Bernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Jeff Merkley , OregonEd Markey , MassachusettsMark Kelly , ArizonaAlex Padilla , CaliforniaAdam Schiff , CaliforniaLisa Blunt Rochester , DelawareAngela Alsobrooks , Maryland
The committee has gone through several iterations starting in 1838. A list of these chairs is below.[ 6]
[ edit ] [ edit ] [ edit ] [ edit ] [ edit ] [ edit ] A list of ranking members is below.[ 8] [ 9]
Historical committee rosters [ edit ]
Majority[ 11]
Minority[ 12]
Tom Carper , Delaware, Chair Ben Cardin , MarylandBernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandJeff Merkley , OregonEd Markey , MassachusettsDebbie Stabenow , MichiganMark Kelly , ArizonaAlex Padilla , CaliforniaJohn Fetterman , Pennsylvania
Shelley Moore Capito , West Virginia, Ranking Member Kevin Cramer , North DakotaCynthia Lummis , WyomingMarkwayne Mullin , OklahomaPete Ricketts , NebraskaJohn Boozman , ArkansasRoger Wicker , MississippiDan Sullivan , AlaskaLindsey Graham , South Carolina
Subcommittee
Majority
Minority
Tom Carper , Delaware, Chair Ben Cardin , MarylandBernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandJeff Merkley , OregonEd Markey , MassachusettsTammy Duckworth , IllinoisDebbie Stabenow , MichiganMark Kelly , ArizonaAlex Padilla , California
Shelley Moore Capito , West Virginia, Ranking Member Jim Inhofe , OklahomaKevin Cramer , North DakotaCynthia Lummis , WyomingRichard Shelby , AlabamaJohn Boozman , ArkansasRoger Wicker , MississippiDan Sullivan , AlaskaJoni Ernst , IowaLindsey Graham , South Carolina
Subcommittees
Majority
Minority
John Barrasso , Wyoming, Chair Jim Inhofe , OklahomaShelley Moore Capito , West VirginiaJohn Boozman , ArkansasRoger Wicker , MississippiMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaRichard Shelby , AlabamaDan Sullivan , AlaskaKevin Cramer , North DakotaMike Braun , Indiana
Tom Carper , Delaware, Ranking Member Ben Cardin , MarylandBernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandJeff Merkley , OregonKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkCory Booker , New JerseyEd Markey , MassachusettsTammy Duckworth , IllinoisChris Van Hollen , Maryland
Subcommittees
Majority
Minority
John Barrasso , Wyoming, Chair Jim Inhofe , OklahomaShelley Moore Capito , West VirginiaJohn Boozman , ArkansasRoger Wicker , MississippiDeb Fischer , NebraskaJerry Moran , KansasMike Rounds , South DakotaJoni Ernst , IowaRichard Shelby , AlabamaDan Sullivan , Alaska
Tom Carper , Delaware, Ranking Member Ben Cardin , MarylandBernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandJeff Merkley , OregonKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkCory Booker , New JerseyEd Markey , MassachusettsTammy Duckworth , IllinoisChris Van Hollen , Maryland
Majority
Minority
Jim Inhofe , Oklahoma, Chair David Vitter , LouisianaJohn Barrasso , WyomingShelley Moore Capito , West VirginiaMike Crapo , IdahoJohn Boozman , ArkansasJeff Sessions , AlabamaRoger Wicker , MississippiDeb Fischer , NebraskaMike Rounds , South DakotaDan Sullivan , Alaska
Barbara Boxer , California, Ranking Member Tom Carper , DelawareBen Cardin , MarylandBernie Sanders , Vermont[ 4] Sheldon Whitehouse , Rhode IslandJeff Merkley , OregonKirsten Gillibrand , New YorkCory Booker , New JerseyEd Markey , Massachusetts
Source: 2013 Congressional Record , S296
