Bill · H.R. 10488· House(119-HR-10488)
Environmental Health Restoration Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/17/2026
- Last activity
- 9/17/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Sean Casten
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Environmental Health Restoration Act of 2026. It forces the Environmental Protection Agency to bring back all environmental rules, guidance, and enforcement programs that were in place on January 19, 2025. It stops the President and the EPA Administrator from delaying or weakening these reinstated rules without an Act of Congress. The legislation also requires the EPA to base its decisions on peer-reviewed science and to bring back specific advisory committees. Furthermore, it sets funding and reporting requirements for enforcement and restores environmental justice programs. Finally, it allows people affected by failures to comply with this Act to bring a civil action in a United States district court.
Yes· 3 of 32
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+10
The legislation fully restores all clean air, hazardous air pollutants, particulate matter, and environmental justice protections in effect on January 19, 2025.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+9
The bill mandates the immediate reinstatement of stringent greenhouse gas emission standards, methane regulations, and vehicle greenhouse gas limits.
Would children be better off under this?+7
Children benefit significantly from reduced air pollution and improved health standards protecting respiratory and cardiovascular health.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-4
Business owners in regulated industries such as energy and manufacturing face increased compliance costs and strict regulatory mandates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reinstatement of Clean Air and Environmental Rules: Section 3(a) requires the EPA to reinstate regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, methane, mercury and air toxics, particulate matter, and vehicle emissions that were in effect on January 19, 2025. This is positive because it forces the agency to uphold standards that protect public health and limit dangerous pollution.
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Support for Vulnerable Communities: Section 6(b) requires the EPA to prioritize monitoring, permitting oversight, and enforcement in communities that experience disproportionate pollution burdens. This is a positive step for people living in heavily polluted areas because it directs resources where they are needed most to reduce health disparities.
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Right to Hold Officials Accountable: Section 7(a) gives any person adversely affected by the EPA Administrator's failure to comply with the Act the right to bring a civil action in a United States district court. This is positive because it gives citizens a direct tool to hold government officials accountable to the law.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Government Spending: Section 5(c) authorizes an appropriation of $10,993,653,000, or whatever sums are needed, for fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter to carry out the EPA's duties. This could be viewed as a negative outcome by taxpayers because it requires a massive amount of federal funding that must be supported by appropriations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+7Good For Children+7Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Low Income Households+7Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Retirees+7Good For Seniors+7Good For Urban Residents+7Good For Immigrants+6Good For Middle Aged+6Good For Native Americans+6Good For Rural Residents+6Good For Women+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Farmers+5Good For Men+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Students+5Good For Veterans+5Good For White Americans+5Good For Business Owners-4
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+10Reduces Carbon Emissions+9Increases Renewable Energy Investment+6Reduces Fossil Fuel Production+6
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+7Improves Government Transparency+6Increases Federal Power+6Increase States Rights+5
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+6Increases Research Funding+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- 9/17/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
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.
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Mike LevinDemocrat · California
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts