Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) has teamed up with Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) to introduce three bipartisan bills to raise awareness of the dangers posed by extreme heat waves and prevent heat-induced deaths.
Bill #1: National Extreme Heat Awareness Week
The first of Rep. Stanton's bills is a Congressional resolution recognizing the week of July 3rd to July 10th as National Extreme Heat Awareness Week, aimed at promoting awareness of the dangers of extreme heat to public health, infrastructure, economic productivity, agriculture, and energy systems.
Bill #2: The Extreme Heat Congressional Advisory Commission Act
The second bill establishes a bipartisan Congressional commission to study the effects of extreme heat as a national and global security issue and to deliver reports with short- and long-term policy recommendations to lawmakers.
Bill #3: The HEAT AI Act
Finally, Rep. Stanton's HEAT AI Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a pilot program in which artificial intelligence (AI) is used to improve the accuracy and consistency of heat-related mortality reporting, thereby providing more effective data for lawmakers, researchers, and public health officials to respond more effectively.
What Stanton and Lawler are Saying
"In Phoenix, we just lived through our hottest spring on record, and we know the heat is only getting worse," the Arizona congressman said in a press release. "This package gives Congress the awareness tools, the data, and the serious policy infrastructure to get ahead of a crisis that is already here. I'm grateful for Congressman Lawler's leadership and partnership in getting this done."
Similarly, Rep. Lawler said, "Extreme heat is not a future challenge; it is a present-day reality affecting communities in New York, Arizona, and across the country."
"This bipartisan package will help us better understand the scope of the problem, improve public awareness and preparedness, and ensure policymakers have the information needed to protect public health, strengthen resilience, and save lives," Rep. Lawler concluded.
Stanton's Past Efforts to Beat the Heat
Last June, Stanton and Lawler formed the Congressional Extreme Heat Caucus, which aims to advance and coordinate federal-level solutions to extreme heat crises, including distributing resources and introducing legislation.
Stanton also introduced the Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act with Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), which would improve FEMA's ability to respond to heat events in collaboration with state and local communities. This bill aims to establish cooling infrastructures for populations vulnerable to heat, such as seniors.
