Democrats Tom Carper, Ben Cardin, and Debbie Stabenow, who have announced their retirement from the Senate, are focused on building environmental legacies during their remaining time in office. As Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Carper is prioritizing oversight of the bipartisan infrastructure law and passing legislation to improve permitting for clean energy initiatives. Cardin is focused on sustaining the environmental health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and ensuring access to safe drinking water. Stabenow is working on the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act and is particularly focused on the Great Lakes. The trio has a long list of priorities to tackle before their terms end next year.
Carper, Cardin, and Stabenow have extensive experience in the House and Senate, with a combined total of almost 100 years. They have played prominent roles in crafting major policies, such as the federal response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis. The Environment and Public Works Committee has been at the center of significant spending for clean energy, water, climate, and infrastructure projects in recent years. Environmental groups and lawmakers are hopeful that their successors will continue to work across party lines.
However, political headwinds may test the committee’s ability to maintain bipartisan cooperation, as 34 Senate seats will be up for election next year. The GOP needs a net gain of two seats to take control of the chamber, or one seat if a Republican wins the White House. Despite this uncertainty, Carper, Cardin, and Stabenow remain focused on their priorities.
The retiring Democrats leave behind other senior lawmakers with strong environmental policy expertise, such as Bernie Sanders, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley, and Ed Markey. Whitehouse is a potential candidate for the top Democratic spot on the Environment and Public Works Committee. He currently leads the Budget Committee and has been using his position to link economic and climate policy. If Democrats maintain control of the Senate after the 2024 elections, Whitehouse will have multiple leadership options.
Junior members of the committee to watch include Alex Padilla and Mark Kelly. Padilla, who leads the Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife subcommittee, is focused on water affordability and systems. Kelly has been addressing the drought in the Colorado River Basin and has secured funding to address the issue.
Overall, while Carper, Cardin, and Stabenow are nearing the end of their Senate careers, they remain committed to their environmental priorities and are working to build lasting legacies in the areas of clean energy, clean water, and climate change. Their successors will have big shoes to fill, but there are promising rising stars within the Democratic Party who are ready to take on the challenges of environmental policy and continue the committee’s bipartisan efforts.
Original Story at news.bloomberglaw.com – 2023-07-18 11:15:00
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