Great news: the Senate Appropriations Committee voted to continue funding EPA’s indoor air, school environmental health, and children’s health programs. More good news: it was an overwhelming—and bipartisan—vote: 26-2!
This is astonishing success in today’s political environment—although many challenges await before a final EPA’s funding bill is sent to the president for signature.
The Senate’s action follows a strong display of support from the Coalition for Healthier Schools, which Healthy Schools Network coordinates. The Coalition organized a letter signed by an impressive 50 organizations urging House and Senate appropriators to support EPA’s programs for school and children’s health.
The good news extends to our friends in Tribal communities. The committee rejected President Trump’s proposed $187 million cut to funding for Tribal schools and instead maintains $1.37 billion for the Bureau of Indian Education to support schools, as well as funding for school construction.
New Senate Language Reflects Coalition Priorities
The Committee’s approved report, which accompanies the funding bill, responds directly to the Coalition’s request. The report builds upon past Senate reports that supported EPA’s IAQ work. However, this year the Committee went further and explicitly tied school environmental health to the Energy Act of 2020. It directed EPA to work with the Departments of Energy and Education to update the required interagency report, identifying new and existing opportunities for schools to improve environmental conditions, reduce emissions, and reduce plastic waste.
The bill also provides $26.85 million for EPA’s Indoor Air and Radiation account, reinforcing IAQ efforts despite broader cuts proposed to EPA’s overall budget.
A Turning Point for EPA and Public Health?
By funding IAQ, schools, and children’s health, Congress is pushing back against efforts to weaken EPA. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating EPA’s research arm and severely cutting EPA’s overall budget. After noting that the bill’s topline funding for EPA falls short of the funding EPA needs to do its job, our friends at the Environmental Protection Network (EPN) stated, “One thing is clear: this bipartisan Senate bill is a sharp repudiation of the massive 55% cut sought by President Trump.”
Read more — Senate Report 119-46, 119th Congress, July 24, 2025
(see highlighted language on Pages 99 and 106 of the Senate report)
Reminder
Free webinar Wednesday, July 30 @ 1PM EST
Resilient Schools: Preparing for Extreme Weather, Dislocation, and Trauma
Extreme weather events increasingly disrupt schools, displacing students and staff and creating lasting trauma. This webinar features Brian Kasher, a widely respected expert in school environmental health and emergency preparedness, and international experts Leslie Rubin and Joel Scheraga. Learn how to identify and close gaps in schools’ preparedness, strengthen community and federal partnerships, and ensure that students return to safe, supportive learning environments as quickly as possible.
Learn more about our panelists HERE
Other News
New Tools Empower Communities to Improve School Environmental Health
Our latest guest NewsSlice article is by Amy Fowler-Dawson of the American Institutes for Research (AIR), describing AIR’s new Healthy Students Learn Better practice guides. These guides provide tools and techniques to help schoolchildren, teachers, parents, and others improve environmental health in schools. Healthy Schools Network is delighted to share these practical resources and to join forces with AIR in our shared mission of keeping children safe at school.
To suggest or submit a NewsSlice story, please contact us at info@healthyschools.org.
How to Build a DIY Air Cleaner!
New Video From EPA
A new video from EPA demonstrates how to build an effective air cleaner out of common items. It shows three versions that you can assemble quickly and easily for use during emergencies. (Note that EPA does not recommend them as permanent alternatives to commercially available air cleaners).
When might schools use this DIY option?
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If they do not have mechanical air handling or classroom filtration devices
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If have dusty air or nearby sources of air pollution
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If they are under renovation or have recently completed a renovation project.
The DIY filters also make a great back-to-school classroom project!
