CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Environmental Protection

Environmental policy covers the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund cleanups, pesticide regulation, and the EPA's authority to set emissions standards. Much of the action happens through agency rulemaking rather than new legislation — but Congress sets the underlying authority.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • House Committee on Natural Resources
  • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
  • Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

173 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • HR. 3276 — Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025

    Latest action:
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

  • HR. 2860 — Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025

    Sponsor:
    Rick Larsen · Democratic · WA
    Latest action:
    Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 427.

  • SJRES. 188 — A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units: Final Repeal".

    Sponsor:
    Sheldon Whitehouse · Democratic · RI
    Latest action:
    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure rejected in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 53. Record Vote Number: 135. (CR S2509)

  • HR. 9083 — State Emissions Authority Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Glenn Grothman · Republican · WI
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  • HR. 9017 — Restore Florida Water Independence Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Byron Donalds · Republican · FL
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  • HR. 2145 — Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025

    Latest action:
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.

  • HR. 8682 — Accelerating Forest Management Act

    Sponsor:
    Troy Downing · Republican · MT
    Latest action:
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

  • HR. 8688 — Forest Health and Wildfire Risk Reduction Act

    Sponsor:
    Jeff Hurd · Republican · CO
    Latest action:
    Subcommittee Hearings Held

Frequently asked

Which committees handle environmental policy?

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee oversees EPA. The House Energy and Commerce Committee handles related jurisdiction. Public lands aspects route through the Natural Resources committees.