Recognizing that climate change poses a growing threat to public health and necessitates coordinated action to mitigate its impacts and safeguard the health and well-being of all people in the United States.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 568
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:55:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This House Resolution (H. Res. 568) expresses the sense of the U.S. House of Representatives that climate change is a major threat to public health. It calls for coordinated federal actions to reduce its impacts, protect health infrastructure, and ensure equitable support for vulnerable populations across the United States.
Key Provisions Outlined
The resolution includes detailed "Whereas" clauses highlighting climate change's health effects and then outlines 10 specific recommendations in the "Resolved" section:
- Enhance Health Sector Readiness: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) should improve the health sector's ability to handle extreme weather, strengthen infrastructure resilience, and reduce environmental impact.
- Distribute Funding Promptly: Congress-appropriated funds for energy efficiency, clean vehicles, renewables, and resilience projects should be allocated quickly, prioritizing underserved communities.
- Prioritize Support for Underserved Providers: HHS should provide technical help, training, and funding to Tribal health systems, rural hospitals, and under-resourced providers for climate adaptation.
- Improve Data and Education: Federal agencies should gather and share data on climate-health links, creating accessible tools and education on risks and solutions.
- Reinstate Key Offices: HHS should fully restore the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity and the Office of Environmental Justice with adequate staff and resources to lead efforts.
- Fund Critical Programs: Ensure full funding and support for specific HHS components, including those focused on children, emergency preparedness, research, Tribal health, environmental health, occupational safety, and climate-health initiatives.
- Invest in Workforce and Resilience: Support training for public health jobs, emergency response for workers, and community-led mental health programs.
- Engage Communities: Involve community organizations, Tribal governments, and environmental justice groups in decision-making and provide them resources for local resilience efforts.
- Worker Protections: The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) should issue a heat protection standard to prevent heat-related illnesses among workers, based on the best evidence.
- Reporting Requirements: HHS and other agencies should submit annual reports to Congress and the public on progress, health outcomes, and equitable resource distribution.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
As a non-binding resolution, this does not amend or create new laws. Instead, it urges reinstatement of previously established offices (e.g., Office of Climate Change and Health Equity) and prompts actions like new OSHA standards or funding priorities, which could influence future legislation or executive actions but do not legally mandate changes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases pressure on HHS, OSHA, and other federal bodies to integrate climate considerations into health policies, potentially leading to reallocations of budgets for resilience projects, data collection, and training. It could streamline inter-agency coordination but may strain resources without new funding.
- On Citizens: Vulnerable groups, such as low-income communities, communities of color, Tribal nations, people with disabilities, children, pregnant individuals, and workers in high-risk jobs, could benefit from better preparedness, reduced health risks (e.g., from heat, pollution, or disasters), and equitable access to support. However, impacts depend on follow-through by agencies.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct effects, though it aligns U.S. domestic health policy with global climate efforts, potentially supporting international cooperation on health and environmental issues.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily HHS (including sub-agencies like CDC, NIH, and Indian Health Service), Department of Labor (OSHA), and others involved in public health, environment, and emergency response.
- Health Care Sector: Providers, hospitals, clinics (especially rural and Tribal), and frontline workers facing increased risks from climate events.
- Vulnerable Populations: Underserved communities, including low-income neighborhoods, communities of color, rural areas, Tribal nations, people with disabilities, children, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
- Workers: Those in outdoor or high-exposure jobs (e.g., agriculture, construction) who could gain from heat protections and training.
- Community Organizations: Groups focused on environmental justice, mental health, and mutual aid, which would receive engagement and resources for local efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Non-binding nature means no enforceable changes; it relies on executive discretion or future laws for implementation. Urges actions like OSHA rulemaking, which could lead to regulatory standards under existing authority.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's oversight role in public health and appropriations but does not infringe on states' rights, emphasizing federal support for local and Tribal efforts.
- Political: Signals bipartisan or Democratic-led push (introduced by a group of Democrats) for climate-health integration, potentially influencing budget debates, elections, and policy agendas. It highlights environmental justice, which could spark debates on equity versus economic costs, but remains neutral in tone without mandating partisan actions.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7], Rep. Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-10: Submitted in House
- 2025-07-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing that climate change poses a growing threat to public health and necessitates coordinated action to mitigate its impacts and safeguard the health and well-being of all people in the United States. — issued 2025-07-10 — PDF (9 pages)