The federal government sets the floor for environmental protection across the nation.
Congress — through both the House and the Senate — writes the laws, approves funding, and holds agencies like the EPA accountable when state and local systems fail. While both chambers share many powers, each plays a distinct role in shaping environmental policy and oversight.

U.S. House of Representatives’ Power Over Pollution

The House is the chamber closest to the people — every member represents a specific district and faces election every two years. That means House members can act quickly on community concerns, local pollution events, and funding priorities.

Core Powers

  • Appropriations and Budget Control:
    • All spending bills start in the House.
    • The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies decides how much funding the EPA, HUD, and other departments receive for enforcement and cleanup.
  • Oversight and Investigation:
    • The Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Energy and Commerce can hold hearings on industrial fires, environmental racism, or failures at EGLE or EPA Region 5.
    • They can subpoena records and require testimony from corporations or federal agencies.
  • Legislation:
    • Representatives can introduce bills strengthening the Clean Air Act, Superfund, or Environmental Justiceprograms.
    • They can also sponsor targeted legislation for fence-line monitoring, asthma mitigation, and emergency alerts.
  • Constituent Advocacy:
    • House members can demand direct EPA intervention for local crises and submit constituent casework on behalf of affected residents.

What Residents Can Demand from the House

  1. Hearings on environmental racism and cumulative pollution in Detroit and Wayne County.
  2. Funding increases for EPA enforcement, air monitoring, and EJ grants.
  3. Direct appropriations or earmarks for Detroit-based cleanup and public health projects.
  4. New legislation requiring real-time public air data and stronger odor enforcement.
  5. Investigations into state and local environmental failures impacting majority-Black neighborhoods.

U.S. Senate’s Power Over Pollution

The Senate provides confirmation, treaty, and long-term oversight powers that the House doesn’t have. Senators represent entire states, serve six-year terms, and can shape national environmental priorities and leadership.

Core Powers

  • Confirmations:
    • The Senate confirms all top federal environmental leaders — including the EPA Administrator, the Secretary of Energy, and heads of Health and Human Services and Transportation.
    • Senators can block or condition confirmations based on environmental performance or commitments.
  • Legislation:
    • The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) leads on Clean Air Act, water infrastructure, and toxic-waste reform.
    • The Senate can amend or originate major environmental bills and send them to the House for approval.
  • Treaties and National Policy:
    • The Senate ratifies international climate and pollution agreements and can pressure the administration to meet global environmental standards.
  • Oversight:
    • The Senate can hold investigations or bipartisan hearings into federal enforcement gaps, industrial safety, or environmental health impacts.

What Residents Can Demand from the Senate

  1. Confirmation accountability: Senators should only approve EPA and cabinet nominees committed to strong enforcement and environmental justice.
  2. Hearings on Detroit and Michigan pollution oversight through the Senate EPW Committee.
  3. Federal funding bills that include dedicated resources for fence-line monitoring, asthma programs, and industrial safety.
  4. Support for a national Environmental Justice Act or Right to a Healthy Environment Amendment.
  5. International and climate coordination to ensure local communities benefit from clean-energy investments.

EPA and Federal Agencies

  • The EPA enforces national air, water, and waste laws and can intervene when state agencies fail.
  • The DOJ prosecutes violations and enforces environmental civil rights (Title VI).
  • HUD, DOT, and HHS link environmental standards to housing, infrastructure, and health funding.