Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, has broadened his investigation into potential improper influence by fossil fuel and related industries on the Trump Administration’s proposed rollbacks of environmental regulations. This includes a focus on the possible repeal of the EPA’s endangerment finding.
The committee sent inquiries to Ford Motor Company after former President Trump stated that Ford CEO Jim Farley “calls me all the time [to ask] ‘can we get rid of this environmental piece of garbage?’” The Trump EPA has moved to reverse several environmental protections, including those targeting air pollution and climate change. If finalized, repealing the endangerment finding could provide financial benefits to polluting industries while potentially increasing health risks and economic damage linked to climate change.
“Straight from Trump’s own mouth, we hear him boasting about working hand in glove with industry to unleash unchecked pollution on our communities,” said Ranking Member Whitehouse. “The only interests that will benefit from such a corrupt rollback of the endangerment finding, upheld twice by the Supreme Court, are polluters and their enablers. American families will pay the price with dirtier air, higher health costs, and a climate-change-fueled economic collapse.”
The EPA’s endangerment finding is a 2009 scientific assessment determining that greenhouse gases harm human health and welfare. This conclusion is supported by peer-reviewed science and has been confirmed in multiple National Climate Assessments as well as reports from international bodies. Legal challenges at both the D.C. Circuit level and appeals to the Supreme Court have failed to overturn it.
“Ford has often been considered among auto-industry leaders in reducing vehicle emissions and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles,” wrote Whitehouse. “Recently, however, Ford has backtracked on many of its prior commitments. Among those changes is Ford’s decision to abandon the manufacture of certain larger electric vehicles. President Trump’s recent comments are, therefore, cause for even greater concern, suggesting that Ford may not only be adapting to a changing regulatory landscape but also helping drive those changes.”
Previously, EPW announced an investigation into 24 industry groups alleged to support efforts benefiting polluters at public expense. These organizations include major energy companies, trade associations, law firms, automakers such as General Motors and Toyota of America, as well as advocacy groups.
Whitehouse joined Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in leading Senate Democrats in urging withdrawal of what they called a legally deficient proposal: “dereliction of duty” and a “blatant failure to protect the American people.”
Whitehouse further criticized legal justifications behind EPA’s proposed rollback: “political rhetoric masquerading as legal and scientific reasoning” that “serves no purpose beyond regulatory corporate welfare to President Trump’s fossil fuel industry donors, its only beneficiaries.” He argued that it relies on unsupported interpretations of federal law while ignoring broad scientific consensus regarding climate change threats.
The committee requested documents from Ford by February 5, 2026.
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee operates out of the Senate Dirksen Office Building in Washington DC where it supports hearings and legislative operations (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/). The committee oversees federal programs affecting environmental quality, natural resources management and infrastructure development across the United States (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/). It plays a key role in shaping policy related to conservation efforts while balancing national needs (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/), influencing regulations concerning wildlife protection as well as maintenance for transportation systems (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/). Through subcommittees focusing on issues like clean air or water resources (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/), members collaborate on legislation with broad impacts nationwide (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/). Shelley Moore Capito currently chairs this committee alongside other senators including Kevin Cramer and Cynthia Lummis (https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/).
