Heinrich, Booker Lead Legislation to Protect Americans’ Health, Hold Weedkiller Manufacturers Accountable

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, legislation that aims to protect Americans' health by ensuring manufactures of glyphosate - the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup - can be held liable under federal and state law should the chemical be proven to cause cancer. The bill overturns Trump's executive order that promotes the production of glyphosate and insulates manufacturers of the chemical from liability.

"Juries across the country are looking at the evidence and delivering verdicts: Exposure to glyphosate can cause cancer. The Supreme Court cannot and should not allow these verdicts to be overturned," said Heinrich. "My constituents' health and safety comes first. And I will not stand by while President Trump gives immunity to those who put my constituents' health and safety at risk. That's why I'm proud to lead the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, legislation that will restore accountability, uphold court rulings, and protect the health and well-being of families in New Mexico and across the country."

"Since my time serving as a city council member in Newark, I have seen firsthand the devastating harm caused by toxic chemicals in our communities," said Booker. "That is why, this week at a rally in front of the Supreme Court, I stood with cancer survivors, activists, and Make America Healthy Again advocates to protest against providing a liability shield to foreign corporations that are poisoning the American people. It is why I filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting Americans who developed cancer after using a toxic pesticide in a case that will determine whether thousands harmed by glyphosate can have their day in court - and why I am a proud cosponsor of the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act, legislation that will overturn President Trump's executive order that prioritizes pesticide company profits over public health and ensure that people who have gotten cancer from glyphosate can seek justice in federal court."

On February 18^th, the Trump administration issued an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to promote the production of glyphosate and provide liability protection to glyphosate manufacturers complying with the executive order. For years, Monsanto, which is now owned by Bayer, has also sought liability protections for glyphosate in state legislatures, Congress, and at the Supreme Court.

Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup - a widely used herbicide developed by Monsanto. Roundup is primarily used in corn, soybean, and cotton production to control weeds, where 90% of those crops are genetically engineered to be resistant to glyphosate.

This week, the Supreme Court heard arguments in Monsanto Company v. John L. Durnell, a case that seeks to overturn lower court verdicts that have held Monsanto liable for failing to adequately warn users of the potential cancer risks of glyphosate. The Supreme Court's pending ruling will in no way limit the legislation's effect once enacted.

Specifically, the No Immunity for Glyphosate Act:

• Prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce Trump's glyphosate executive order.

• Affirms that glyphosate manufacturers are not immune from civil liability.
  • This will ensure that glyphosate manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers cannot claim immunity under the Defense Production Act, federal contractor defenses, or other federal authorities - while preserving Americans' right to pursue claims under federal and state law.

The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act is led by Heinrich and Booker. U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined the senators in introducing this bill. Companion legislation is led in the House by U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine).

The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act is endorsed by Farm Action Fund.

The full text of the bill is here.

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