YourVoice.Now Summary
EnvironmentTransparency & AccountabilityA Justice Department office for pollution in low-income and Tribal areas, plus up to $50M a year in local enforcement grants
Environment
The bill sets up a new office for this in the Justice Department. It would track and steer cases where pollution may hit poor, Tribal, or Native areas the hardest.
Starting in 2026, Congress could spend up to $50 million a year for ten years on grants to state, local, and Tribal governments. Each government could get one grant of $50,000 to $1 million to train or hire staff who enforce pollution laws.
Transparency & Accountability
The new office would have to hold calls or meetings with local groups on a set schedule (the bill says "bimonthly"). It would also show people how to take part and how to file a complaint.
More about this bill
Some low-income, Tribal, and Indigenous neighborhoods get more than their share of pollution. If you live in one, the Justice Department would have an office focused on your area. The new Office of Environmental Justice would sit in the department's environment unit. It would track and coordinate cases where pollution may harm these communities more than others. It would hold regular calls or meetings with community groups. It would also teach people how to file complaints with federal agencies. A panel of senior department leaders would meet at least four times a year to guide this work. The bill would also set up a grant program within 180 days. Congress could spend up to $50 million a year on it from 2026 through 2035. State, local, and Tribal governments could each win one grant of $50,000 to $1 million. The money could train enforcement staff or hire people to look into and prosecute pollution cases. It could also help communities take part in decisions about their health and safety. Grants would cover up to 80% of a project's cost, unless the Attorney General waives that limit.
Congressional Summary
Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 This bill establishes the Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice (DOJ). It also establishes grants to improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal governments to enforce environmental laws involving environmental justice matters. (On February 5, 2025, DOJ issued a directive to close its Office of Environmental Justice by March 15, 2025.)
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-02-25
- Date Added
- 2026-10-08
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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