A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 7 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Plastic Health Research Act seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to expand research regarding plastic exposures and their potential health effects. It directs the Secretary to coordinate research activities in consultation with several federal agencies. The bill authorizes grants and contracts for research entities to improve scientific quality and develop testing methodologies for microplastics and nanoplastics. It also establishes Centers of Excellence to conduct research, perform risk assessments, and increase public awareness. Funding is authorized at $10,000,000 annually for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 for research grants and an additional $10,000,000 annually for the Centers of Excellence.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill provides substantial new funding for scientific research into plastic exposure and testing methodologies.
- Scored +7
Does this put more money into medical research?
The bill authorizes $20,000,000 annually for research into the health effects of plastic exposure through 2030.
- Scored +4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill funds research into the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the environment and human health.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes $20,000,000 in annual new spending for research and Centers of Excellence through 2030.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Scientific Quality and Standards: The bill prioritizes research that develops vetted, reproducible methods and standard definitions for microplastics and nanoplastics (Section 2(a)(1)). This could lead to more reliable data regarding health risks.
-
Filling Research Gaps: The legislation focuses on using methods that fill existing gaps in the field of potential health effects research (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Increased Public Awareness: The proposed Centers of Excellence are tasked with increasing public awareness of the potential health effects of plastic exposure and the results of risk assessments, where scientifically warranted (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
-
Identification of Hazards: The centers are designed to identify potential exposures to plastic and conduct both hazard and risk assessments (Section 2(b)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated within the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides substantial new funding for scientific research into plastic exposure and testing methodologies.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill authorizes $20,000,000 annually for research into the health effects of plastic exposure through 2030.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds research into the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the environment and human health.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Scientific research into environmental contaminants can lead to public health protections that benefit all citizens. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased awareness of environmental health risks can improve urban public health policies.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes $20,000,000 in annual new spending for research and Centers of Excellence through 2030.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Improved understanding of environmental health risks could lead to better public health outcomes for all socio-economic groups.
- 3/18/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/19/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/5/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Frank LucasRepublican · Oklahoma
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
Dave MinDemocrat · California
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Juan VargasDemocrat · California