Clean Water for All Life Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7983
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-01T14:36:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill, titled the Clean Water for All Life Act, aims to criminalize the provision of chemical abortion drugs (medication used to end pregnancies) unless a healthcare provider is physically present with the patient, performs an exam, and supplies specific medical waste disposal materials.
Key Provisions
- New Federal Crime (18 U.S.C. § 1532): Prohibits anyone, in or affecting interstate commerce (e.g., across state lines), from providing or attempting to provide a chemical abortion drug without:
- Physically examining the patient.
- Being physically present at the abortion location.
- Providing a catch kit (container for medical waste/samples) and red bag medical waste container (biohazard bag with specific labeling), plus instructions for the patient to return them to the provider for disposal.
- Penalties: Up to 5 years in prison, fine up to $50,000, or both, per occurrence.
- Definitions:
- Abortion: Using drugs or means to end a pregnancy, knowing it will likely kill the unborn child (excludes acts to save the unborn child's life/health, remove a dead fetus from miscarriage, or treat ectopic pregnancy).
- Chemical abortion drug: Includes mifepristone, misoprostol, or similar drugs marketed for abortion.
- Unborn child: Human organism from fertilization (sperm-egg fusion) to live birth.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Chapter 74 of Title 18 U.S. Code (federal criminal code on partial-birth abortions) by:
- Renaming the chapter header from "Partial-Birth Abortions" to "Abortion Crimes".
- Adding the new section § 1532 and updating the table of contents.
- Introduces the first federal criminal penalty specifically targeting non-in-person chemical abortions, expanding beyond prior partial-birth abortion restrictions.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Limits access to medication abortions via telehealth, mail-order, or online without in-person provider visits; requires patients to return waste materials.
- On Government Agencies: U.S. Department of Justice gains enforcement role for interstate violations; may increase federal prosecutions.
- On Healthcare: Restricts remote prescribing/dispensing of abortion drugs, potentially affecting clinics, pharmacies, and providers.
- No direct international relations impact noted.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Healthcare Providers: Doctors, clinics, and telehealth services face criminal liability for non-compliant chemical abortions.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Makers/distributors of drugs like mifepristone (e.g., generics) impacted if involved in interstate distribution.
- Patients/Women Seeking Abortions: Reduced options for private, at-home medication abortions.
- Anti-Abortion Advocates: Gain federal tool to restrict medication abortions.
- Federal Law Enforcement: New prosecutorial duties.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Relies on interstate commerce clause for federal jurisdiction; could preempt state laws on abortion post-Dobbs v. Jackson (2022, which ended federal right to abortion).
- Constitutional: May face challenges under due process, equal protection, or bodily autonomy (though post-Dobbs, states regulate abortion); defines "unborn child" from fertilization, influencing fetal personhood debates.
- Political: Introduced by Republican lawmakers; signals push for national restrictions on medication abortion amid state variations. Still in early stage (referred to House Judiciary Committee, March 18, 2026).
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]
Cosponsors (18)
Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Burchett, Tim [R-TN-2], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3], Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-18: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-18: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Clean Water for All Life Act — issued 2026-03-18 — PDF (4 pages)