A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.

Senate Resolution

S.Res. 561

119th Congress

A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 17, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Sheldon Whitehouse

D - RI

Cosponsors

8

Quick Stats

Summary

This Senate resolution formally recognizes that particulate matter (PM) pollution causes heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death, and calls on the EPA to maintain safe nationwide standards. It identifies fossil fuel combustion as the largest source of PM pollution and notes that 80 million Americans live within 3 miles of fossil fuel power plants.

Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This Senate resolution formally recognizes that particulate matter (PM) pollution causes heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death, and calls on the EPA to maintain safe nationwide standards. It identifies fossil fuel combustion as the largest source of PM pollution and notes that 80 million Americans live within 3 miles of fossil fuel power plants.

Last updated: 12/26/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

PM particles are so small they penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream
Long-term PM exposure doubles risk of hemorrhagic stroke
Evidence links PM to lung cancer even in nonsmokers
Children in high-PM areas have smaller lung capacity at age 18
Fossil fuel combustion is the largest U.S. source of particulate matter
80 million Americans (17 million children) live within 3 miles of fossil fuel plants

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This resolution affects fossil fuel power plants, industrial facilities, communities near pollution sources, and the EPA. Environmental justice communities—often low-income and minority neighborhoods near power plants—would benefit most from maintained PM standards. The health care system would see reduced costs from fewer heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory hospitalizations. The resolution signals congressional support for maintaining Clean Air Act protections.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

561, 119th Congress (2025). "A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-sres-561