WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) introduced a comprehensive package of legislation to address the growing and deadly threat of extreme heat. Ansari’s extreme heat agenda includes her Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act, the Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act, and the Extreme Heat Economic Study Act. Together, these pieces of legislation would deliver the federal funding, structure, and information communities need to protect residents and respond to extreme heat events.
“Arizonans are more familiar than most with the deadly consequences of the climate crisis, and it’s only getting worse. I’m proud to introduce legislation that meets this moment with the urgency it demands. These bills will save lives and deliver critical support to the communities most vulnerable to extreme heat, like Phoenix, Glendale, and Guadalupe,” said Rep. Ansari.
The rising toll of extreme heat:
- Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States, killing more people annually than hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes combined
- In 2024, Maricopa County saw 608 heat-related deaths
- From June 18 to July 31, 2024, Maricopa County experienced a 44-day streak with at least one heat-related death each day. During this period, 355 heat-related deaths occurred, 14 excessive heat warnings were issued, and 14 high-temperature records were broken
- Phoenix recorded its first 90°F day of 2025 in February, marking the eighth warmest start to a year on record
Ansari’s Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act would create a new HUD grant program for local, Tribal, and nonprofit entities to implement community-level heat mitigation projects. Eligible activities include tree planting, shade structures, cooling centers, green roofs, and public education efforts. Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is leading the introduction of the bill in the Senate.
Text of Ansari’s Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 HERE.
The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Dina Titus (NV-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
The legislation is also endorsed by Climate Mayors, Smart Surfaces Coalition, Federation of American Scientists, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, Union of Concerned Scientists, GreenLatinos, Center for Biological Diversity, National Coalition for the Homeless, American Lung Association, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Climate Resolve, and TreePeople.
Ansari’s Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Actwould establish a formal governance structure for extreme heat under the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS). It brings together all relevant federal agencies to coordinate heat planning, preparedness, and emergency response, and authorizes $5 million annually for data collection, public warnings, and heat-health research. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey is leading the introduction of the bill in the Senate.
Text of Ansari’s Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025 HERE.
The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Dina Titus (NV-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
Ansari’s Extreme Heat Economic Study Act would direct the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) to conduct a comprehensive national study on the economic impacts of extreme heat, including costs related to health care, infrastructure, lost productivity, agriculture, and energy use. It aims to close gaps in the federal disaster framework that currently prevent communities from accessing aid for heat-related emergencies. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly is leading the introduction of the bill in the Senate.
Text of Ansari’s Extreme Heat Economic Study Act of 2025 HERE.
The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Dina Titus (NV-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
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