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A resolution recognizing that mercury pollution can cause severe health problems, including permanent brain damage, kidney damage, and birth defects.

USA119th CongressSRES-560| Senate 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (8)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This Senate Resolution formally recognizes that mercury pollution is a powerful neurotoxin capable of causing severe health problems, such as permanent brain damage, kidney damage, and birth defects. It emphasizes that gestational exposure is particularly dangerous, leading to severe intellectual impairment and developmental issues in infants. The resolution identifies fossil fuel combustion, particularly from power plants , as the primary source of mercury emissions, which then contaminate waterbodies and the food system. It notes that consuming mercury-contaminated fish is the most common exposure pathway for humans, with thousands of fish advisories currently in effect across the United States. Ultimately, the Senate declares its sense that the Environmental Protection Agency should refrain from loosening any existing controls on mercury pollution originating from power plants, underscoring the critical need to protect public health from this pervasive environmental threat.
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Timeline
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

A resolution recognizing that mercury pollution can cause severe health problems, including permanent brain damage, kidney damage, and birth defects.

USA119th CongressSRES-560| Senate 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
This Senate Resolution formally recognizes that mercury pollution is a powerful neurotoxin capable of causing severe health problems, such as permanent brain damage, kidney damage, and birth defects. It emphasizes that gestational exposure is particularly dangerous, leading to severe intellectual impairment and developmental issues in infants. The resolution identifies fossil fuel combustion, particularly from power plants , as the primary source of mercury emissions, which then contaminate waterbodies and the food system. It notes that consuming mercury-contaminated fish is the most common exposure pathway for humans, with thousands of fish advisories currently in effect across the United States. Ultimately, the Senate declares its sense that the Environmental Protection Agency should refrain from loosening any existing controls on mercury pollution originating from power plants, underscoring the critical need to protect public health from this pervasive environmental threat.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

Democratic Senator

Rhode Island

Cosponsors (8)
Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted