EPW committee approves rules and committee funding resolution en bloc

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved its committee rules package and a committee funding resolution en bloc, the chair announced, allowing the panel to proceed with its business and staffing for the new Congress.

Why it matters: Passage of committee rules and funding authorizes the panel to operate, set staffing levels and proceed with oversight and legislative drafting. Committee members said the funding resolution was necessary to support work on surface transportation reauthorization, permitting reform, Toxic Substances Control Act reauthorization and other priorities.

Chair Capito said staff and the ranking member’s office reviewed the previous rules and proposed updates. The three main changes described were: permitting sworn testimony from witnesses, keeping transcripts for business meetings, and establishing a clear subpoena process that would operate either by agreement of the chair and ranking member or by a majority committee vote. The substitute amendment to the committee funding resolution was described by the chair as a minor typographical correction and was treated as adopted.

The chair moved the rules package and funding resolution en bloc; a senator seconded and the chair announced that "the ayes have it," noting for the record that a quorum was present at the vote.

Background and next steps: Committee members said the new budget will fund staff work on priority legislation and oversight. Members welcomed a new member from Ohio and expressed gratitude to a departing senator for temporary service to the committee. The committee adjourned after completing the voting portion of the business meeting.