Washington (September 5, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and co-chair of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) reintroduced the Preventing Health Emergencies And Temperature-related (HEAT) Illness and Deaths Act to address the rising health risks of extreme heat. The legislation is co-led by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.).
As climate change continues to worsen, extreme heat events in the United States are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, and more severe. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can have dangerous consequences for human health, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act would improve and expand interagency efforts, provide $100 million in financial assistance for community projects to reduce exposure to extreme heat, and issue recommendations for federal action on heat-health issues.
“Heat is the deadliest type of extreme weather in the United States, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Senator Markey. “Most heat-related illnesses and deaths are preventable. Our bill would build stronger, safer, healthier communities by providing federal dollars, federal agency coordination, and federal assistance that our communities—particularly environmental justice communities—desperately need to manage their risk and exposure to extreme heat. I will keep fighting for each step toward climate justice.”
“Heat-related deaths are preventable, yet they are still too common,” said Representative Bonamici. “The climate crisis is fueling longer, deadlier heat waves and record temperatures. Extreme heat events threaten everyone, but especially older adults, outdoor workers, and people who live in low-income neighborhoods with little or no tree canopy. Extreme heat is a public health emergency, and we must act now to save lives. The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act would reduce the health effects of extreme heat and strengthen interagency response to heat emergencies, protecting Oregonians and Americans.”
“As Americans face record-breaking heat waves summer after summer, we must do everything we can to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths,” said Senator Padilla. “This legislation would help address the rising health risks of extreme heat by providing critical funding for community projects and enhancing interagency coordination so we can better protect our communities — including low-income communities and communities of color who are bearing the brunt of this escalating crisis.”
“Arizonans know better than anyone that extreme heat can be deadly. I’ve been fighting to get Washington to treat heat like the serious public health threat it is. I’m proud to have co-led the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act in both the House and Senate to reiterate that the federal response needs to go further. It will help us better understand and address the dangers of extreme heat and protect the health and safety of everyone who calls Arizona home.” said Senator Gallego.
Specifically, the Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act would:
Extreme heat is the deadliest climate-related extreme weather, killing an average of 2,000 Americans every year, but experts have said this is likely an underestimate of the true toll. Heat exposure poses more serious health impacts in low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal communities. In urban areas, residents are particularly vulnerable due to the “urban heat island” phenomenon, which can cause environmental justice neighborhoods in cities to be more than 20°F warmer than the surrounding area. These communities have less tree canopy coverage and more pavement, in part due to historic practices of redlining, which lead to higher temperatures. Residents of these communities may also lack access to air conditioning, health care, and other tools to mitigate extreme heat, increasing the risks of heat-related illness.
Cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
Cosponsors in the House include Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), and Ro Khanna (CA-17).
The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act is endorsed by Federation of American Scientists, Center for Biological Diversity, American Public Health Association, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, The CLEO Insitute, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Climate Resolve, Elevate, Korey Stringer Institute, Moms Clean Air Force, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Employment Law Project, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, The Smart Surfaces Coalition, Toxic Free NC, Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action, La Isla Network, EcoMadres, Center for American Progress, Union of Concern Scientists, League of Conservation Voters, and American Academy of Pediatrics.
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