Recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration's directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science.
- Bill Number
- H.Con.Res. 44
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T08:05:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 44) aims to formally recognize a national health and safety emergency that disproportionately harms children's fundamental rights. It attributes this emergency to the Trump administration's policies, which promote fossil fuel production and greenhouse gas emissions (gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to climate change) while restricting access to climate science information.
Key Provisions Outlined
The resolution consists of extensive "Whereas" clauses providing factual and scientific background, followed by a "Resolved" section that outlines non-binding recommendations:
- Background Assertions:
- Affirms the role of laws like the Clean Air Act (a federal law from 1970 that regulates air pollution to protect public health and the environment) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, a government agency tasked with enforcing environmental laws).
- Criticizes executive actions for exceeding authority by expanding fossil fuel extraction (e.g., oil, gas, and coal mining), blocking renewable energy sources (like wind and solar power), and declaring a false "national energy emergency" despite high U.S. energy production.
- Highlights scientific consensus on climate change: human activities, especially burning fossil fuels, have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from about 285 parts per million (ppm) historically to over 424 ppm in 2024, causing rapid global warming, extreme weather, and health risks.
- Details harms to children, including physical effects (e.g., heat-related illnesses, asthma from wildfires and pollution, increased allergies) and mental health issues (e.g., anxiety from climate uncertainty). Notes disproportionate impacts on Black, Indigenous, low-income, and other vulnerable children due to environmental racism (systemic biases leading to higher pollution exposure in certain communities).
- Accuses the administration of suppressing climate data by removing it from government websites, cutting research funding, and censoring scientists, which harms education and public access.
- Resolved Recommendations:
- Urges U.S. leadership to acknowledge the child-focused emergency, oppose specific executive orders, and demand the administration reverse policies that boost fossil fuels, restore EPA's mission, and reinstate climate data online.
- Calls on Congress and the federal government to prioritize children's constitutional rights (e.g., life, liberty, property under the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights and Equal Protection Clause) and adopt intergenerational governance (policies that equally value current and future generations).
- Requires all future energy and climate policies to protect children's rights, including a stable climate, and align with reducing carbon dioxide to under 350 ppm by 2100 to limit warming to 1°C above pre-industrial levels.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This is a concurrent resolution, which is a formal expression of Congress's opinion and requires agreement from both the House and Senate but does not create new laws, amend statutes, or have legal force. It introduces no binding changes to existing laws like the Clean Air Act or EPA regulations. Instead, it pressures the executive branch to comply with current statutes without altering them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could lead to congressional oversight hearings or budget pressures on agencies like the EPA to refocus on pollution control and climate science, potentially restoring data access and research funding if political momentum builds.
- On Citizens: Highlights risks to children's health and rights, possibly encouraging public advocacy, lawsuits (e.g., youth-led climate cases), or state-level actions. Vulnerable communities may gain visibility for inequities in pollution exposure and energy costs.
- On International Relations: References global human rights standards (e.g., from the UN and European Court of Human Rights) on a "right to a healthy environment," which might signal U.S. internal divisions on climate commitments like the Paris Agreement, affecting diplomatic credibility in international environmental talks.
No direct economic or regulatory impacts, as the resolution is symbolic.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Children and Youth: Primary focus, especially the 73 million under 18 in the U.S., portrayed as politically powerless and facing lifelong climate harms.
- Vulnerable Groups: Black, Indigenous, low-income, and communities near fossil fuel sites, who face higher pollution and health risks.
- Federal Agencies and Officials: EPA, energy departments, and the Trump administration, called out for policy reversals and data restoration.
- Scientists, Educators, and Health Experts: Impacted by alleged censorship; the resolution supports their access to data and funding.
- Congress and Policymakers: Encourages bipartisan action on climate, though introduced by Democratic members.
- Energy Industry: Fossil fuel producers criticized; renewable energy advocates potentially bolstered.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces arguments for climate litigation by linking executive actions to violations of statutes (e.g., Clean Air Act) and public trust doctrines (legal principles holding government accountable for natural resources for public benefit). Cites state court rulings (e.g., in Montana and Hawaii) recognizing youth rights to a stable climate.
- Constitutional: Invokes children's rights under the U.S. Constitution (e.g., life, liberty, equal protection), framing climate policy as essential to these rights, including "pursuit of happiness" and bodily integrity. Challenges executive overreach, suggesting actions violate separation of powers (branch of government checks and balances).
- Political: Represents partisan opposition to Trump-era policies, potentially fueling debates in a divided Congress. As a non-binding measure, it amplifies symbolic pressure but risks deepening polarization on energy independence vs. environmental protection. Aligns with global trends affirming environmental rights, positioning the U.S. in broader human rights discussions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Cosponsors (62)
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Min, Dave [D-CA-47], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Scott, David [D-GA-13], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4] and 12 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-16: Submitted in House
- 2025-07-16: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing a health and safety emergency disproportionately affecting the fundamental rights of children due to the Trump administration’s directives that unleash fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, while suppressing climate change science. — issued 2025-07-16 — PDF (10 pages)