# 119-sres-561: A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.

119-sres-561, A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI); status introduced (as of 2026-09-10).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-561
- As of: 2026-09-10
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-561
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-12-17
- Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI)
- Cosponsors: 8
- Policy area: Environmental Protection
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-10

## Summary

**Particulate matter pollution poses serious health risks and the EPA should maintain strong national protections.** This resolution would recognize that particulate matter are tiny particles that can reach deep into the lungs and bloodstream and that exposure can trigger heart attacks, asthma, bronchitis, reduced lung function, and premature death. It would also state that the Environmental Protection Agency should maintain and enforce safe nationwide standards for particulate matter. - Children and families: A California study cited in the resolution found children raised in high particulate areas had smaller lungs at 18. The resolution notes about 17,000,000 children live within 3 miles of a fossil fuel-fired power plant. - People with heart or lung disease: The resolution says exposure can cause heart attacks, worsen lung disease, and that long-term exposure doubles the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. - Communities near power plants: It highlights that combustion of fossil fuels is the largest U.S. source of particulate pollution and that roughly 80,000,000 people live within 3 miles of a fossil fuel-fired power plant.

## Cosponsors (8)

- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE] (D-DE), 2025-12-17T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act
- 119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-sres-561 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/561)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-3869: Healthy Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3869)
- [119-s-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-51)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-561 (as of 2026-09-10).