Committee History and Membership
History and Recent Membership of the Committee on Environment and Public Works
In 1837, the Senate created the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds to oversee the development of the Federal buildings in the young, but growing Federal City of Washington, DC. In 1947, during a reorganization of Senate committees, the panel was renamed the Committee on Public Works. Following another major organizational revision in 1977, its name was changed to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Over the years the committee's public works jurisdiction has grown from oversight of new Federal building construction, additions to the U.S. Capitol building and grounds, and the White House and its grounds, to legislative responsibility for the development of the Nation's interstate highway system, flood control and navigation projects.
In 1963, the responsibility for creating new laws to achieve air and water pollution control, rural and community economic development, and relief from natural disasters was given to the committee. The passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, brought the committee recognition as the Senate's forum for protection of the environment. In 1977, the committee was assigned the jurisdiction over endangered species, fish and wildlife refuges and programs, and the regulation of nonmilitary nuclear power.
The committee's oversight extends to programs in five cabinet level departments and seven independent agencies, including the Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration and the Coast Guard, the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the GSA's Public Buildings Service, the Council on Environmental Quality, the civil works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Mississippi River Commission, and the nonperforming functions of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
EPW MEMBERSHIP (1969-Current)
91st Congress
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
Jan. 3. 1969 - Jan. 2, 1971
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn. | John Sherman Cooper, Kentucky |
| Stephen M. Young, Ohio | J. Caleb Boggs, Delaware |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| B. Everett Jordan, North Carolina | Robert J. Dole, Kansas |
| Birch Bayh, Indiana | Edward J. Gurney, Florida |
| Joseph M. Montoya, New Mexico | Robert W. Packwood, Oregon |
| William B. Spong, Virginia | |
| Thomas F. Eagleton, Missouri | |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska |
92nd Congress
Jan. 21, 1971 - Oct. 18, 1972 [1]
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn | John Sherman Cooper, Kentucky |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine | J. Caleb Boggs, Delaware |
| B. Everett Jordan, North Carolina | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Birch Bayh, Indiana [2] | Robert J. Dole, Kansas |
| Joseph M. Montoya, New Mexico | J. Glenn Beall, Maryland |
| Thomas F. Eagleton, Missouri | James L. Buckley, New York |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska | Lowell P. Weicker, Connecticut [4] |
| John V. Tunney, California | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Karl E. Mundt, South Dakota [5] |
| Elaine S. Edwards, Louisiana [3] |
93rd Congress
Jan. 3, 1973 - Dec. 20, 1974
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn. | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine | James L. Buckley, New York |
| Joseph M. Montoya, New Mexico | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska | William L. Scott, Virginia |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | James A. McClure, Idaho |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| Dick Clark, Iowa | |
| Joseph R. Biden, Delaware |
94th Congress
Jan 14, 1975 - Oct. 1, 1976
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn. | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine | James L. Buckley, New York |
| Joseph M. Montoya, New Mexico | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska | James A. McClure, Idaho |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | |
| John C. Culver, Iowa | |
| Robert Morgan, North Carolina | |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado |
95th Congress
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS [6]
Jan. 4, 1977 - Oct. 15, 1978
|
Democrats (majority )
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn. | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska | James A. McClure, Idaho |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| John C. Culver, Iowa | Malcolm Wallop, Wyoming |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado | |
| Wendell Anderson, Minnesota | |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York |
96th Congress
Jan. 15, 1979 - Dec. 16, 1980
|
Democrats (majority )
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia, Chmn. | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Edmund S. Muskie, Maine [7] | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Mike Gravel, Alaska | James A. McClure, Idaho |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| John C. Culver, Iowa | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado | Larry Pressler, South Dakota |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | |
| George E. Mitchell, Maine [8] |
97th Congress
Jan. 5, 1981 - Dec. 23, 1982
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont, Chmn. |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| George Mitchell, Maine | James Abdnor, South Dakota |
| Max Baucus, Montana | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Slate Gorton, Washington | |
| Frank H. Murkowski, Alaska |
98th Congress
Jan. 3, 1983 - Oct. 12, 1984
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Jennings Randolph, West Virginia | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont, Chmn. |
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Howard H. Baker, Jr., Tennessee |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | James Abdnor, South Dakota |
| George Mitchell, Maine | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Max Baucus, Montana | Pete V. Dominici, New Mexico |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey [9] | David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
| Gordon Humphrey, New Hampshire | |
| Daniel J. Evan, Washington [9] |
99th Congress
Jan. 3, 1985 - Oct. 18, 1986
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Lloyd M. Bentsen, Texas | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont, Chmn. |
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Gary W. Hart, Colorado | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | James Abdnor, South Dakota |
| George Mitchell, Maine | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Max Baucus, Montana | Gordon Humphrey, New Hampshire |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico |
| David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
100th Congress
Jan. 6, 1987 - Oct. 22, 1988
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota, Chmn. | Robert T. Stafford, Vermont |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| George Mitchell, Maine | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| Max Baucus, Montana | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
| John B. Breaux, Louisiana | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland | Larry Pressler, South Dakota |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | |
| Bob Graham, Florida |
101st Congress
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Quentin N. Burdick, North Dakota, Chmn. | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| George Mitchell, Maine | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Max Baucus, Montana | David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | James M. Jeffords, Vermont |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Gordon J. Humphrey, New Hampshire |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | |
| Howard M. Metzenbaum, Ohio |
102nd Congress
Jan. 3, 1991 - Oct. 8, 1992 [10]
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Quentin Burdick, North Dakota , Chmn. [10] | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Daniel P. Moynihan, New York[10] | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| George Mitchell, Maine | Steve Symms, Idaho |
| Max Baucus, Montana | David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | James M. Jeffords, Vermont |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Robert Smith, New Hampshire |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | |
| Howard M. Metzenbaum, Ohio | |
| Harris Wofford, Pennsylvania [11] | |
| Jocelyn Birch Burdick, North Dakota [12] |
103rd Congress
Jan. 3, 1993 - Dec. 1, 1994
|
Democrats (majority)
|
Republicans (minority)
|
| Max Baucus, Montana, Chmn. | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Daniel Patrick Moynihan, New York | Alan K. Simpson, Wyoming |
| George Mitchell, Maine | David W. Durenberger, Minnesota |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | Robert Smith, New Hampshire |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Lauch Faircloth, North Carolina |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho |
| Howard M. Metzenbaum, Ohio | |
| Harris Wofford, Pennsylvania | |
| Barbara Boxer, California |
104th Congress
Jan. 4, 1995 - Oct. 3, 1996
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Max Baucus, Montana | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island, Chmn. |
| Daniel Patrick Moyhihan | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | Robert Smith, New Hampshire |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | Lauch Faircloth, North Carolina |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Barbara Boxer, California | Craig Thomas, Wyoming |
| Ron Wyden, Oregon | Mitch McConnell, Kentucky |
| Christopher S. Bond, Missouri | |
| Robert F. Bennett, Utah |
105th Congress
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Max Baucus, Montana | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island, Chmn. |
| Daniel Patrick Moyhihan | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | Robert Smith, New Hampshire |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | Dirk Kempthorne, Idaho |
| Bob Graham, Florida | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | Craig Thomas, Wyoming |
| Barbara Boxer, California | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Ron Wyden, Oregon | Tim Hutchinson, Arkansas |
| Wayne Allard, Colorado | |
| Jeff Sessions, Alabama |
106th Congress
Jan. 6, 1999 -Dec. 15, 2000 [13]
|
Democrats (minority)
|
Republicans (majority)
|
| Max Baucus, Montana | John H. Chafee, Rhode Island, Chmn. [13] |
| Daniel Patrick Moyhihan | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey | Robert Smith, New Hampshire [13] |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Craig Thomas, Wyoming |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Barbara Boxer, California | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Ron Wyden, Oregon | Michael D. Crapo, Idaho |
| Robert F. Bennett, Utah | |
| Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas | |
| Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island [14] |
107th Congress
Jan. 3, 2001 - Nov. 22, 2002 [15]
|
Democrats/Independent
|
Republicans
|
| James M. Jeffords, Vermont, Chmn. [19] | Bob Smith, of New Hampshire [16] |
| Max Baucus, Montana | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Harry Reid, Nevada [20] | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Bob Graham, Florida | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Barbara Boxer, California | Michael D. Crapo, Idaho |
| Ron Wyden, Oregon | Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania |
| Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York | Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Colorado [17] |
| Jon S. Corzine, New Jersey | Pete V. Domenici, New Mexico [18] |
108th Congress
| Democrats/Independent (Minority) | Republicans (Majority) |
| James M. Jeffords, Vermont | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma, Chmn. |
| Max Baucus, Montana | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Harry Reid, Nevada | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Bob Graham, Florida | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | Michael D. Crapo, Idaho |
| Barbara Boxer, California | Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Ron Wyden, Oregon | John Cornyn, Texas |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | Lisa Murkowski, Alaska |
| Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York | Craig Thomas, Wyoming |
| Wayne Allard, Colorado |
109th Congress
Jan. 4, 2005 - Dec. 9, 2006
| Democrats/Independent (Minority) | Republicans (Majority) |
| James M. Jeffords, Vermont | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma, Chmn. |
| Max Baucus, Montana | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Barbara Boxer, California | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island |
| Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York | Lisa Murkowski, Alaska |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey | John Thune, South Dakota |
| Barack Obama, Illinois | Jim DeMint, South Carolina |
| Johnny Isakson, Georgia | |
| David Vitter, Louisiana |
110th Congress
| Democrats/Independent (Majority) | Republicans (Minority) |
| Barbara Boxer, California, Chmn. | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Max Baucus, Montana | John W. Warner, Virginia |
| Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | Johnny Isakson, Georgia |
| Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York | David Vitter, Louisiana |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey | John Barrasso, Wyoming |
| Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland | Larry E. Craig, Idaho |
| Bernard Sanders, Vermont | Lamar Alexander, Tennessee |
| Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island |
111th Congress
| Democrats/Independent (Majority) | Republicans (Minority) |
| Barbara Boxer, California, Chmn. | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Max Baucus, Montana | George V. Voinovich, Ohio |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | David Vitter, Louisiana |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey | John Barrasso, Wyoming |
| Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland | Mike Crapo, Idaho |
| Bernard Sanders, Vermont | Christopher S. Bond, Missouri |
| Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota | Lamar Alexander, Tennessee |
| Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island | |
| Tom Udall, New Mexico | |
| Jeff Merkley, Oregon | |
| Kirsten Gillibrand, New York | |
| Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania |
112th Congress
| Democrats/Independent (Majority) | Republicans (Minority) |
| Barbara Boxer, California, Chmn. | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Max Baucus, Montana | David Vitter, Louisiana |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | John Barrasso, Wyoming |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey | Jeff Sessions, Alabama |
| Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland | Mike Crapo, Idaho |
| Bernard Sanders, Vermont | Lamar Alexander, Tennessee |
| Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island | Mike Johanns, Nebraska |
| Tom Udall, New Mexico | John Boozman, Arkansas |
| Jeff Merkley, Oregon | |
| Kirsten Gillibrand, New York |
113th Congress
| Democrats/Independent (Majority) | Republicans (Minority) |
| Barbara Boxer, California, Chmn. | David Vitter, Louisiana |
| Max Baucus, Montana | James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma |
| Thomas R. Carper, Delaware | John Barrasso, Wyoming |
| Frank R. Lautenberg, New Jersey | Jeff Sessions, Alabama |
| Benjamin L. Cardin, Maryland | Mike Crapo, Idaho |
| Bernard Sanders, Vermont | Roger F. Wicker, Mississippi |
| Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island | John Boozman, Arkansas |
| Tom Udall, New Mexico | Deb Fischer, Nebraska |
| Jeff Merkley, Oregon | |
| Kirsten Gillibrand, New York |
[1]. Senator Beall resigned and Senator Stafford appointed on September 21, 1971.
[2]. Senator Bayh resigned from committee August 2, 1972.
[3]. Senator Edwards was appointed August 2, 1972 and resigned November 13, 1972, upon election of the successor to the seat she was serving.
[4]. Senator Weicker resigned from the committee February 23, 1972.
[5]. Senator Mundt was appointed to the committee January 3, 1973.
[6]. Pursuant to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1976, the name and legislative jurisdiction was changed.
[7].¾ Senator Muskie resigned from the committee May 7, 1980.
[8]. Senator Mitchell was appointed to the committee May 19, 1980.
[9]. The committee membership was increased from 16 to 18 members in October 1983 to provide for the addition of Senators Evans and Lautenberg, following the death of Henry Jackson. Senator Jackson was not a member of EPW, but Sen. Evan's appointment to the Senate affected committee ratios and his appointment permitted Sen. Lautenberg to join the committee.
[10]. Senator Burdick died on September 8, 1992 and Senator Moynihan was elected chairman on September 15, 1992.
[11] Senator Wofford joined the committee May 8, 1991, having been appointed to the Senate upon the death of Senator John Heinz..
[12]. Senator Jocelyn Burdick was appointed by the Governor and served from September 12, 1992 until December 4, 1992, when Senator Conrad was elected by special election to complete the term of Senator Quentin Burdick.
[13]. Senator John H. Chafee died October 24, 1999, and Senator Smith was elected chairman November 2, 1999.
[14]. Senator Lincoln Chafee was appointed November. 9, 1999.
[15]. Pursuant to the provisions of S. Res. 8, passed by the Senate on January 1, 2001, and because the ratio of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate was 50-50, the committee ratio became nine Republicans and nine Democrats at the convening of the 107th Congress.
[16]. Senator Bob Smith, a Republican, assumed the chairmanship on January 21, 2001, upon the oath of office taken by Vice President Richard Cheney, a Republican.
[17]. Pursuant to S. Res. 251, adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2002, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell was replaced on the committee by Senator Pete V. Domenici.
[18]. Pursuant to S. Res. 251, adopted by the Senate on April 23, 2002, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell was replaced on the committee by Senator Pete V. Domenici.
[19]. Senator Jeffords, an Independent, was appointed as a member and chairman of the committee on July 10, 2001. The committee membership was expanded to 19 members; 1 Independent, 9 Democrats, and 9 Republicans.
[20]. Senator Reid, a Democrat, held the chairmanship until January 21, 2001, when Al Gore, a Democrat, vacated the office of Vice President of the United States. Senator Reid became Acting Chairman on June 6, 2001, when the Democratic Party assumed the majority of the Senate.
