Skip to main content
EnglishEspañol

All bills

Bill would shield states from penalties over foreign air pollution

Passed one chamberH.R. 6409Latest action

Sponsor: August Pfluger · Representative · TX

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
Read the official text

Official title: FENCES Act

119th Congress

Topics: Environment & energy

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

The FENCES Act would excuse states from federal air quality penalties caused by pollution drifting in from other countries.

45-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

The FENCES Act amends the Clean Air Act so states get relief from federal penalties when foreign pollution—whether from human activity or natural sources like wildfires—keeps them from meeting air quality standards. Areas cannot be labeled "nonattainment" if foreign pollution is the sole cause of failure. States must also prove every five years that they are already limiting vehicle emissions as much as possible to qualify for this relief, and must keep working toward overall clean air goals.

Who does it affect?

State environmental agencies and industries in areas affected by foreign pollution, particularly in the West and Southwest, are directly affected. Residents near international borders or wildfire-prone regions are also affected.

Why does it matter?

The change would reduce federal pressure and financial penalties on states dealing with pollution sources outside their control, without altering rules for domestic, human-caused pollution.

AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

Make the call

Three steps: where you stand, your script, the call.

Where do you stand?

Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedDec 3, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · Apr 17, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Data as of October 20, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 116

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    220
    Nay
    208
    0
    3

    Republicans 213 yes, 1 no, 3 not voting · Democrats 6 yes, 207 no · Independent 1 yes

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

  2. House · · Roll call 115

    As recorded

    Question
    On
    Result:
    Failed
    213
    Nay
    215
    0
    3

    Republicans 214 no, 3 not voting · Democrats 213 yes · Independent 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

See how a call works

Share this bill

Share on WhatsApp