Senate leaders have formally unveiled the roster of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee for the 115th Congress. In addition to featuring a new chairman and ranking Democrat, three Senators – two Democrats and a Republican – will join the committee this year.
On the majority side, Republican Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming will take over as EPW Chairman. Barrasso replaces Oklahoma’s James Inhofe, who will remain on the panel but is term-limited out of the chairmanship by GOP rules. Newly joining the majority EPW roster is Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).
Delaware Democrat Tom Cardin is the panel’s new ranking member, replacing the retired Barbara Boxer of California. In addition, two freshman Democratic senators are joining EPW: Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Kamala Harris of California.
The EPW Committee heavily influences water policy, holding jurisdiction over the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Subcommittee assignments for the 115th Congress are expected in the coming weeks.
In addition to Sen. Boxer, also not returning to EPW this year are David Vitter of Louisiana (retired) and Mike Crapo of Illinois. Republicans will hold a slim 11-10 majority on the committee, reflecting the closely divided Senate (with 52 seats held by Republicans and 48 by members aligned with Democrats).
The full EPW Committee roster is listed below, though another Republican would replace Sen. Sessions should he be confirmed as Attorney General:
Republicans (11): John Barrasso (Wyo.) (Chair), James Inhofe (Okla.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), John Boozman (Ark.), Roger Wicker (Miss.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Jeff Sessions (Ala.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), Mike Rounds (S.D.). Joni Ernst (Iowa), Dan Sullivan (Alaska).
Democrats (10): Tom Carper (Del.) (ranking member), Ben Cardin (Md.), Bernie Sanders (Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), Cory Booker (N.J.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (Ill.), Kamala Harris (Calif.).