Kelly backs legislation to address health impacts of East Palestine Train Derailment
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) co-sponsored the East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act of 2025, legislation which would authorize funding to conduct a study of the long-term health impacts caused by the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
In the weeks following the 2023 derailment, Rep. Kelly held multiple meetings with local officials in Lawrence County, including roundtable meetings in Wampum and Enon Valley. East Palestine is just three miles from Lawrence County, which Kelly represents in Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District.
Kelly was also a vocal supporter of expanding the E.P.A.'s one-mile radius to allow more Pennsylvania and Ohio residents living near the crash site to receive federal air, water, and soil testing.
"Like their neighbors in East Palestine, Lawrence County residents deserve to have the peace of mind that their long-term health will not be impacted by the train derailment two years ago," Rep. Kelly said. "This legislation ensures proper research and safety measures will be taken for everyone who lives near the derailment site. I want to thank my colleagues from Ohio for leading this effort."
The legislation, which is led by Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14), Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Congressman Michael Rulli (OH-6), was introduced earlier this month.
“The community of East Palestine and the surrounding areas are still suffering from the train derailment and resulting contamination from thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals,” said Congressman Joyce. “Unfortunately, there is still a need for more research to uncover the long-term health impacts and address the valid concerns of the people in the area. This bipartisan legislation will ensure that the proper research is conducted, and I hope to see it move forward quickly.”
“More than two years later, as the people of East Palestine, Ohio and the surrounding communities continue to recover from the Norfolk Southern train derailment, and subsequent venting and burning of toxic chemicals, it is imperative that we continue to monitor the human health impacts,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “We have a responsibility and duty to address the community’s concerns. I am honored to co-lead this bipartisan legislation which would secure the necessary funds to better understand the long-term health challenges that residents and neighboring communities face. While we cannot undo what has been done, we can put every possible effort forward to ensure that the railroads are held accountable for their negligence, and that those impacted are made whole.”
“Of all the concerns I’ve heard from residents whose lives were devastated by Norfolk Southern, the most common questions were about their long-term health. I’m glad to join this bi-partisan effort to address those concerns and do what we can to protect the long-term well-being of those impacted by the train derailment,” said Congresswoman Sykes.
“I was in East Palestine earlier this week with Vice President JD Vance, standing with residents still grappling with the aftermath of that devastating disaster from two years ago. After speaking directly with my constituents, one thing is clear — fears about long-term health impacts are real and persistent,” said Congressman Rulli. “This legislation is a critical step forward, requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct rigorous research to identify any harmful effects, both now and for generations to come. I am unwavering in my commitment to push this through both the House and Senate. Our community deserves nothing less than action, answers, and a clear path to full recovery.”
“The people of East Palestine still have questions and concerns about the possible long-term health impacts, if any, of exposure to hazardous chemicals following the train derailment,” said Michael Oakes, senior vice president of research and technology management at Case Western Reserve University. “A longitudinal comparative study on human health effects is the best way to answer these questions. We appreciate that Congressman Joyce and Congresswoman Kaptur have continued to support this important bipartisan legislation, as well as Vice President Vance’s prior efforts to advance the companion bill in the Senate.”
BACKGROUND
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, jeopardizing the community’s safety and sense of normalcy and raising concerns about long-term health impacts.
This bill would authorize funding over the span of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out the study of long-term health impacts of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment. Specifically, this bill would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary to award a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to a group of public or private higher education institutions to conduct a study on the human health impacts as a consequence of the derailment and subsequent venting and burning of liquid chemicals. The Secretary is directed to give local institutions’ applications additional consideration for receiving funds.
HHS would then be required to submit a report on the results of the study to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. HHS would also be required to submit a progress report on the status of research to the same relevant committees two years after the enactment of this measure.