The Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency that is tasked with protecting public health and our environment, has faced major issues and challenges under the current administration. The EPA helps to enforce many key environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and conducts research on environmental and public health issues. The EPA is also incredibly essential in evaluating chemicals and industrial practices for safety, and responds to environmental emergencies like oil spills or hazardous waste accidents.

 The agency has faced major staff cuts, and a derailed agenda that weakens enforcement of important environmental laws. The recent government shutdown has only created more pressure for the EPA. The agency operated with a small crew of approximately 900 essential employees out of a typical workforce of 14,000, forcing a halt to critical activities like issuing permits, conducting research, updating its website, and performing civil enforcement inspections.  In addition, the threat of mass layoffs given the current administration has raised doubts on the future of the EPA.