Edward Markey (D-MA)
Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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
This bill establishes several programs aimed at protecting pregnant individuals and children under three from climate change risks. It creates a grant program to provide direct services and mitigation efforts, such as providing air conditioning or housing assistance, to vulnerable populations. Additionally, it funds education and training within health profession schools to help providers identify and address climate-related health risks. The legislation also establishes an NIH Consortium to coordinate research on these specific environmental risks. Finally, the Secretary is tasked with developing a strategy to identify high-risk zones for adverse maternal and infant health outcomes.
Yes· 3 of 16
- Scored +7
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides specific protections and health research aimed at protecting infants under three years of age from climate risks.
- Scored +7
Would women be better off under this?
The bill focuses on protecting the health of pregnant individuals and addressing maternal mortality and morbidity.
- Scored +7
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill mandates that grant programs and research efforts specifically address racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes and climate exposure.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Direct Assistance for Families: Grant funds can be used to provide vulnerable individuals with air conditioning units, residential weatherization support, filtration systems, household appliances, or direct financial assistance (Section 3(e)(1)).
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Support During Weather Events: Funds may be used to provide services such as housing assistance, evacuation assistance, transportation assistance, and access to cooling shelters to help people prepare for or recover from extreme weather events like floods or wildfires (Section 3(e)(1)(D)).
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Improved Health Care Training: Health profession schools can receive grants to integrate training into their curriculum regarding climate change risks, patient counseling, and mitigation strategies (Section 4(d)).
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Targeted Research: The establishment of an NIH Consortium will coordinate research to identify risks associated with climate change and find strategies to reduce exposure, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups (Section 5(b)(1)).
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Addressing Health Disparities: Grant programs and research efforts are specifically directed toward addressing racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes and exposure to climate risks (Section 3(c)(3) and Section 5(b)(2)(A)(i)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk of Displacement: Grant applications must include strategies to prevent initiatives from causing the displacement of residents and businesses (Section 3(c)(4)(B)).
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Increased Living Costs: Grant applications must include strategies to prevent initiatives from causing rent and housing price increases (Section 3(c)(4)(C)).
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Environmental and Social Impacts: Grant applications must include strategies to prevent adverse environmental impacts and disproportionate adverse impacts on racial and ethnic minority groups and other underserved populations (Section 3(c)(4)).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides specific protections and health research aimed at protecting infants under three years of age from climate risks. Would women be better off under this? — The bill focuses on protecting the health of pregnant individuals and addressing maternal mortality and morbidity. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill targets aid toward vulnerable populations who may face disproportionate risks from climate-related weather events. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes addressing racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to address disproportionate adverse impacts on racial and ethnic minority groups.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill establishes an NIH Consortium specifically to coordinate research on climate change risks to maternal and infant health. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill funds services such as housing, transportation, and cooling assistance to help vulnerable individuals access care and mitigate climate risks. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill specifically allows grant funds to be used for mental health counseling for vulnerable individuals facing extreme weather events.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill funds mitigation efforts like urban forestry and infrastructure improvements to protect against climate change risks. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill provides services such as evacuation and housing assistance to help people navigate extreme weather events like floods and wildfires. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes transportation assistance as a service to help vulnerable individuals prepare for or recover from extreme weather.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill mandates that grant programs and research efforts specifically address racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes and climate exposure. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill provides direct financial assistance and resource support to help vulnerable individuals manage climate-related hardships.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill establishes an NIH Consortium to coordinate and fund research on the intersection of climate change and maternal/infant health.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of annual and final reports on the program's results on public websites.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill includes $105 million in authorized appropriations to fund various protection and research initiatives.
- 4/21/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey