Climate and Health Protection Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1645
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Health
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Last Updated: 2025-12-04T09:06:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Climate and Health Protection Act (H.R. 1645) aims to ensure the ongoing operation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Climate and Health program. This program focuses on addressing public health risks from climate change by providing scientific information, tools, and leadership to governments and communities.

Key Provisions

Program Continuation: The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the CDC Director, must maintain the Climate and Health program (or any successor) under the National Center for Environmental Health. The program's goals include:
Translating climate change science into practical information for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments (including health departments) and communities.
Developing decision support tools to help build preparedness for climate-related health threats.
Acting as a trusted authority in planning responses to climate change's effects on public health.
Congressional Notification: If a successor program is created, the Secretary must notify Congress in writing about any transfer or reprogramming of funds to support it.
Funding Authorization: Allocates $110,000,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2026 and continuing each year thereafter specifically for this program.
Funding Restrictions: Prohibits transferring or reprogramming these funds to any other programs administered by the Secretary.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Part B of Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b et seq.) by adding a new section (317W). It formalizes the continuation of an existing CDC program that might otherwise face discontinuation or funding shifts, introducing mandatory implementation, dedicated appropriations, and safeguards against fund diversion—elements not previously specified in statute for this initiative.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Strengthens the CDC's role in climate-health integration, providing stable funding to enhance coordination with state, local, Tribal, and territorial health entities. It may reduce administrative uncertainty by locking in resources and requiring transparency on program changes.
Citizens and Communities: Improves access to science-based tools and information, potentially leading to better preparedness for climate-driven health issues like heatwaves, disease spread, or extreme weather, benefiting vulnerable populations in affected areas.
International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; the focus is domestic public health.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Federal Agencies: Primarily the CDC and the Department of Health and Human Services, which gain mandated responsibilities and protected funding.
State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Governments: Health departments and officials who receive translated science and tools to address local climate risks.
Communities and Public: Individuals and groups facing health threats from climate change, who benefit from enhanced planning and capacity-building efforts.
Congress: Involved through notification requirements and oversight of funding.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Establishes statutory authority for the program, preventing executive discretion to defund or alter it without congressional notice, which could limit future administrative changes. The funding authorization aligns with Congress's power of the purse under Article I of the U.S. Constitution.
Constitutional: Reinforces federal support for public health under the general welfare clause, without raising federalism concerns as it emphasizes collaboration with subnational governments.
Political: Signals bipartisan or multiparty support (introduced by a diverse group of representatives) for climate-health linkages, potentially influencing future appropriations debates by earmarking funds and restricting their use, which may spark discussions on fiscal priorities in environmental policy.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]

Cosponsors (22)

Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]

Recent Actions

2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2025-02-27: Introduced in House
2025-02-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Climate and Health Protection Act — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (3 pages)