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John,

After months of public outcry, Congress has backed away from a dangerous pesticide provision that would have weakened public health protections and shielded chemical companies from accountability.

That's good news for those of us who want to curb the overuse of toxic pesticides in order to protect our water, our food and our bodies from these poisons.

Section 453, buried inside a spending bill, would have made it harder for people harmed by toxic pesticides to seek justice, and harder for health and environmental officials to act when new evidence of harm emerges.[1]

However, when House appropriators released their updated bill text, the provision was gone.[2]

This didn't happen by accident. It happened because thousands of people across the country spoke up. Parents, farmers, health advocates, scientists and concerned families sent messages, signed letters and raised the alarm about what was at stake.

I'm happy to report that PIRG advocates and supporters were among them.

Together, we made it clear that protecting pesticide manufacturers at the expense of public health is unacceptable.

If passed, Section 453 would have allowed pesticides to remain in use by blocking the EPA and other agencies from pursuing action unless they first complete a full, updated risk assessment, which can take up to 12 years.[3]

During that time, harmful chemicals could have remained in use, spreading through fields, waterways, crops and communities unchecked.

Perhaps even worse still, the provision would have created significant legal barriers, making it far more difficult for individuals and courts to hold pesticide manufacturers accountable when their products cause harm.[4]

Of course the chemicals that end up in our soil, water, air and food ultimately end up in our bodies.

This threat is why opposition to Section 453 quickly spread far beyond traditional environmental and public health circles.

Alongside farmers, public interest groups and health advocates, activists associated with the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement helped elevate concerns about toxic chemical exposure, especially risks to children and families.

The message they shared was simple: Companies shouldn't be protected from accountability at the expense of the health of our families, neighbors, friends and communities.

As the volume of public concern grew, lawmakers took notice, and the provision became harder to defend, until it was ultimately removed from the bill text.[5]

Section 453's removal marks a meaningful and tangible win, showing that public participation still matters.

When people speak up -- especially from across political lines -- our decision makers have to listen.

Despite this recent victory, efforts to shield pesticide companies from liability continue to surface at both the state and federal level.

At the same time, public awareness of the negative role that chemical exposure plays in long-term health is growing, and every day more people are questioning why potentially dangerous products remain so widely used.

That's why we'll keep educating the public, urging our lawmakers and building coalitions across the political spectrum to make sure public health comes first.

Thank you for being a part of this win for healthier soil, food and air,

Faye Park
President

P.S.: If you'd like to further support our work to reduce toxic threats from pesticides, consider making a donation today.
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1. Dina Akhmetshina, "Update: Congress abandons toxic pesticide provision", PIRG, January 7, 2026.
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2. Dina Akhmetshina, "Update: Congress abandons toxic pesticide provision", PIRG, January 7, 2026.
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3. Dina Akhmetshina, "Update: Congress abandons toxic pesticide provision", PIRG, January 7, 2026.
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4. Dina Akhmetshina, "Update: Congress abandons toxic pesticide provision", PIRG, January 7, 2026.
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5. Dina Akhmetshina, "Update: Congress abandons toxic pesticide provision", PIRG, January 7, 2026.
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