Supporting the recognition of November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month" and promoting nationwide education, prevention, and detection efforts to protect United States families from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 934
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T08:07:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 934) aims to recognize November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month." It seeks to promote nationwide education, prevention, and detection efforts to protect U.S. families from carbon monoxide poisoning, a colorless, odorless gas that causes hundreds of deaths and thousands of medical emergencies each year.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes several "whereas" clauses highlighting the dangers of carbon monoxide, such as its role in over 400 annual deaths, 100,000 emergency visits, and $1.3 billion in economic costs. It emphasizes risks in homes (76% of cases), lack of detectors in 36% of adult households, and vulnerabilities after disasters like hurricanes. The core actions, outlined in the "Resolved" section, are:
- Support for recognition: Endorses November 2025 as Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month.
- Encouragement of collaboration: Urges federal, state, and local agencies to work with public health groups, safety advocates, and first responders to boost awareness and prevention.
- Call to action for citizens: Encourages all Americans to install and maintain certified carbon monoxide alarms (tested by approved labs to meet safety standards like UL), test them regularly, and learn symptoms of poisoning (e.g., headaches, dizziness).
- Promotion of partnerships: Supports ongoing efforts between public and private sectors to address carbon monoxide hazards and foster safer homes.
- Acknowledgment of contributors: Praises first responders, medical professionals, and community educators for their role in prevention and education.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, not a law or bill that amends statutes. It introduces no enforceable changes to current laws, regulations, or policies. Instead, it expresses the House of Representatives' support for voluntary awareness and preventive measures.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Could increase public awareness of carbon monoxide risks, encouraging more households to install affordable alarms and perform maintenance, potentially reducing poisoning incidents, deaths, and healthcare costs. It highlights protections for vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
- On government agencies: Prompts federal, state, and local entities (e.g., health departments, emergency services) to partner on education campaigns, though without funding or mandates, impacts may be limited to voluntary initiatives.
- On international relations: No direct effects, as it focuses on domestic public health.
Overall, the resolution may indirectly support broader "healthy homes" initiatives in preventive healthcare but relies on public and private buy-in for real-world change.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. citizens and families: Primary beneficiaries, especially those in homes without detectors or in high-risk areas post-disasters.
- Public health organizations and safety advocates: Encouraged to lead education and prevention drives.
- First responders and medical professionals: Recognized for their efforts; may see reduced emergency calls if awareness grows.
- Government agencies: Federal (e.g., health and commerce committees), state, and local levels, tasked with collaboration.
- Private sector partners: Manufacturers of certified alarms and community educators, supported in promoting safe products.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no force of law and cannot compel action; it serves as a symbolic endorsement rather than creating rights, obligations, or penalties.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority under Article I to express views on public welfare issues, without infringing on states' rights or individual freedoms.
- Political: Signals bipartisan attention (introduced by Reps. Patronis and Gottheimer) to a preventable public health crisis, potentially influencing future funding or legislation on environmental safety. It avoids controversy by focusing on education over regulation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21], Rep. Buchanan, Vern [R-FL-16], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-05: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-12-05: Submitted in House
- 2025-12-05: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Supporting the recognition of November 2025 as "Carbon Monoxide Action and Awareness Month" and promoting nationwide education, prevention, and detection efforts to protect United States families from carbon monoxide poisoning. — issued 2025-12-05 — PDF (4 pages)