[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 561 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 561

Recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, 
                 asthma, strokes, and premature death.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 17, 2025

 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Markey, Mr. 
   Van Hollen, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Welch, and Ms. Blunt 
 Rochester) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
             the Committee on Environment and Public Works

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                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, 
                 asthma, strokes, and premature death.

Whereas particulate matter pollution consists of tiny airborne particles made of 
        a mix of sometimes hundreds of different chemicals and elements;
Whereas particulate matter particles are so small that when inhaled they can 
        penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream;
Whereas particulate matter exposure can cause heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, 
        decreased lung function, and premature death for people with heart or 
        lung disease;
Whereas people who experience long-term exposure to particulate matter pollution 
        are twice as likely to experience hemorrhagic stroke;
Whereas evidence suggests that particulate matter exposure contributes to lung 
        cancer incidence and mortality, even for nonsmokers;
Whereas a study by the California Air Resources Board found that children 
        growing up in communities with high levels of particulate matter 
        pollution had smaller lungs at age 18 than children living in 
        communities with low levels of particulate matter pollution;
Whereas health scientists agree that particulate matter is a leading health risk 
        factor in the United States and around the world;
Whereas combustion of fossil fuels is the largest source of particulate matter 
        pollution in the United States; and
Whereas an estimated 80,000,000 individuals in the United States live within 3 
        miles of a fossil fuel-fired power plant, approximately 17,000,000 of 
        whom are children: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the Senate recognizes that particulate matter pollution 
        can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death; 
        and
            (2) it is the sense of the Senate that the Environmental 
        Protection Agency should maintain and enforce safe nationwide 
        standards for particulate matter.
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