Committee History and Membership - 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)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS

91st Congress
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 [1]
Jan. 21, 1971 - Oct. 18, 1972

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  

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS[6]

95th Congress
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 [9]
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
Jan. 3. 1989 - Oct. 28, 1990
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 [10]
Jan. 3, 1991 - Oct. 8, 1992

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
Jan. 3, 1997 - Dec. 21, 1998

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 [13]
Jan. 6, 1999 -Dec. 15, 2000

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 [15]
Jan. 3, 2001 - Nov. 22, 2002

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
Jan. 7, 2003 - Dec. 8, 2004

 

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
Jan. 4, 2007 - Jan. 3, 2009  

 

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
Jan. 6, 2009 - Dec. 22, 2010 

   

 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
Jan. 5, 2011 -- Jan. 3, 2013

 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
Jan. 3, 2013 --

 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.

Majority Office
410 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.Washington, DC 20510-6175
phone: 202-224-8832
Minority Office
456 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg.Washington, DC 20510-6175
phone: 202-224-6176