Protecting Our Planet

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) reintroduced the Farewell to Foam Act, bicameral legislation to phase out single-use plastic foam food service products, “loose fill” such as packing peanuts, and non-medical disposable coolers – materials known to cause harmful health effects and pollute waterways. This bill prohibits the sale and distribution of these items beginning January 2028 while aiming to support the transition to alternatives.

Washington, D.C. – As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews the Texas Railroad Commission’s request for primacy over the state’s carbon storage infrastructure and protection of underground sources of drinking water, U.S. Representatives Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Casar (TX-35), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Al Green (TX-09) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), urged Secretary Michael Regan to address major gaps in the Commission’s ability to meet minimum requirements in protecting Texans health and safety. Specifically, the members ask for a transparent evaluation process that considers the proximity of wells to vulnerable communities and environmental justice impacts, public engagement in multiple languages, and an emergency response plan to plug leaking wells.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced bicameral legislation to phase out single-use plastic foam food service products, “loose fill” such as packing peanuts, and non-medical disposable coolers – materials known to cause adverse health effects and pollute waterways. The Farewell to Foam Act will prohibit the sale and distribution of these items beginning January 2026 while aiming to support the transition to alternatives.

Washington, D.C.—As countries around the world convene at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin), joined by 12 Members, urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address critical oversights currently missing in the Zero Draft text of an internationally legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. Specifically, the Members push for robust criteria to identify and phase out single-use plastics and implement rigorous measures to prevent and remove secondary microplastic pollution. The Members also call on the Administration to work with known big polluting industries—from tire manufacturers to textile producers—to determine best practices in addressing the root causes of secondary microplastic pollution.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), a member of the Senate Finance and Environment and Public Works Committees, introduced legislation that would create a new incentive to recycle plastic and help reduce the plastic waste that is disrupting coastal economies, overwhelming ecosystems, and threatening public health.