A resolution recognizing that particulate matter pollution can cause heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Markey, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
This is a non-binding Senate resolution that formally recognizes the health dangers of particulate matter (PM) air pollution, including heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death. It expresses the sense of the Senate that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should maintain and enforce safe nationwide air quality standards for particulate matter.
Who Benefits and How
Public health advocates and environmental groups receive symbolic support for their position that the EPA should maintain strong particulate matter standards. The resolution signals Senate concern about air quality and public health, though it creates no legal requirements.
Communities near industrial pollution sources may benefit indirectly if this resolution influences EPA policy decisions, though the resolution itself has no binding effect.
Who Bears the Burden and How
No one faces direct burdens from this resolution since it is entirely non-binding and symbolic. However, if it influences EPA to maintain or strengthen particulate matter standards, industries that emit particulate matter (such as power plants, manufacturing facilities, and heavy industry) could face continued or increased compliance costs with air quality regulations.
Key Provisions
- Formally recognizes that particulate matter pollution causes serious health effects including heart attacks, asthma, strokes, and premature death
- Expresses the sense of the Senate that the EPA should maintain and enforce safe nationwide standards for particulate matter
- Does not create any new legal requirements, funding, or regulatory mandates - purely symbolic resolution
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
A Senate resolution recognizing the health dangers of particulate matter pollution and expressing that the EPA should maintain and enforce safe nationwide air quality standards.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Non-binding expression of Senate position on EPA air quality standards for particulate matter"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Public health advocates
- Environmental groups
- Communities affected by air pollution
Likely Burden Bearers
- Industries that emit particulate matter (if EPA tightens standards)
- Coal-fired power plants
- Manufacturing facilities
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_agency"
- → Environmental Protection Agency
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology