Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight

The Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight is one of four subcommittees under the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. This subcommittee handles a specialized slice of environmental policy focused on how chemicals are regulated, how waste is managed, and how environmental protections affect communities most vulnerable to pollution.

The subcommittee is chaired by Senator John Curtis (R-UT), with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) serving as Ranking Member.

In October 2025, the subcommittee held a hearing titled "Examining the Beneficial Use and Regulation of Chemicals," which brought together perspectives from chemical manufacturers, downstream users like aerospace companies, and public health experts. The hearing explored how the EPA reviews and approves new chemicals, with discussion of regulatory timelines, PFAS contamination, and the balance between protecting public health and maintaining American competitiveness in chemical innovation.