Dexter Champions Landmark Legislation to Declare Climate Crisis a Public Health Emergency
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) introduced the Climate Health Emergency Act, bold legislation requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services to declare the climate crisis a public health emergency. The declaration would unlock a myriad of federal resources and jumpstart the unified response needed to meet the full scope of the climate crisis.
“As a mother, I’ve seen the escalating anxiety my children have lived with and internalized as they grow up on an increasingly unlivable planet,” said Dexter. “Every child deserves clean air, clean water, and the promise of a safe future. The climate crisis is not a distant threat—it’s a public health emergency, and it demands a full-scale, whole-of-government response. The first step is telling the truth about what we’re facing.”
“The climate crisis is a real threat to the health and safety of our families and communities,” said David Shadburn, Legislative Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “Big Polluters time and time again have not only knowingly contributed to the climate crisis but also risked access to clean air and clean water for their own bottom lines. This public health emergency declaration is a crucial step forward in making sure that families and communities impacted by the climate crisis have the resources they need. Thank you, Congresswoman Dexter, for introducing this legislation and for standing up for the health and safety of our communities.”
"From extreme heat to dangerous flooding and wildfire smoke choking the air, there's no question that the climate crisis is a danger to public health for our communities. As we continue to witness the devastating impacts across the country, we thank Representative Dexter for her leadership in working to protect our people, keep our families safe, and ensure that our nation's public health infrastructure is fully prepared to meet the ongoing climate crisis head-on,” said Patrick Drupp, Director of Climate Policy at the Sierra Club.
“Climate change is fueling a wave of extreme weather events that have exacerbated public health crises across the country and around the world,” said Earthjustice Action Vice President of Policy and Legislation Raúl García. “Declaring a public health emergency related to climate impacts would force the federal government to treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves, unlocking critical federal resources to protect our families and communities. We thank Rep. Dexter for recognizing that the threat of climate change is also a threat to our health.”
Sworn into office in 2025, Congresswoman Dexter is one of six Democratic physicians in Congress. She is a founding member of the Democratic Doctors Caucus, which fights to put data, science, and patients at the center of policymaking.
For more information on the Climate Health Emergency Act, click here for a one-page fact sheet. Click here for bill text.
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