Environment and Public Works Committee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

This resolution expresses the U.S. Senate's support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week to raise public awareness about the importance of these coastal ecosystems. The bill highlights that estuaries support a significant portion of the nation's population, jobs, and economic output while providing critical services such as flood control, water filtration, and habitat for fish and wildlife. It acknowledges ongoing threats to these areas, including pollution, sea-level changes, and harmful algal blooms, which have led to the loss of wetlands and degraded water quality. The resolution also commends the efforts of federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as community organizations, in protecting and restoring estuary health.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

The Environmental Health Restoration Act of 2026 mandates that the Environmental Protection Agency reinstate specific air quality and emissions regulations that were weakened or repealed in early 2025, including standards for power plants, vehicles, and oil and gas operations. The bill prohibits federal officials from delaying or suspending these rules without explicit congressional approval and requires the agency to base decisions on peer-reviewed science while restoring the use of a specific social cost of carbon value. Additionally, it directs the reinstatement of environmental justice programs, requires public health impact assessments for new regulations, and authorizes approximately $11 billion in annual funding to support enforcement efforts. The legislation also creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue the agency in federal court if it fails to comply with these requirements.