Bill · H.R. 1553· House(119-HR-1553)
Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/25/2025
- Last activity
- 2/25/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Nanette Barragán
- Cosponsors
- - 18 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 seeks to establish an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice. This Office will be led by a Director who is responsible for developing an environmental justice strategy and coordinating various Department matters. To support this, a Senior Advisory Council will be created to advise the Assistant Attorney General on policy and initiatives. The bill also establishes a grant program to help State, local, and Tribal governments improve their ability to enforce environmental laws. These grants are intended to fund training, staffing, and community outreach efforts. The Act aims to protect all people from disproportionate environmental and health risks regardless of their background or income.
Yes· 3 of 13
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill provides specific support and agency to Tribal and Indigenous populations for environmental justice.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
The bill establishes an Office of Environmental Justice to better enforce environmental laws and protect communities.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
The bill specifically targets low-income communities for enhanced environmental protection and enforcement support.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Health Risks: The bill aims to ensure people are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human health and environmental effects and hazards, including those related to climate change and the legacy of racism (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
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Equitable Environmental Access: It seeks to provide individuals with equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment for living, working, and engaging in cultural practices (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).
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Increased Community Participation: The Office is tasked with promoting and protecting the public's right to participate meaningfully in decision-making processes regarding environmental justice (Section 2(b)(4)(D)).
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Support for Local Governments: Through a grant program, State, local, and Tribal governments can receive funding to train agencies, hire staff for investigations, and establish collaborative programs for community outreach (Section 3(e)).
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Enhanced Communication: The Office will design communications to help communities understand how to participate in environmental justice matters and how to file administrative complaints (Section 2(b)(4)(D)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For African Americans+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Urban Residents+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+1
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/3/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 2/25/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 11 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Shontel BrownDemocrat · Ohio
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Diana DeGetteDemocrat · Colorado
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Timothy KennedyDemocrat · New York
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Sylvester TurnerDemocrat · Texas
Maxine WatersDemocrat · California