119-HRES-823 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary: 119-HRES-823 (Coal Week)

1) Headline Summary: A symbolic House resolution to designate the week beginning October 19, 2025 as “Coal Week,” honoring coal workers and the fuel’s role in reliable power. [5]Congressional Record (via Congress.gov) — Congressional Record entry for S.Res.…

2) What It Does: H.Res. 823 is a simple House resolution—an expression of the chamber’s views, not a change to law or funding. It would recognize coal’s historical and ongoing role in U.S. energy and national security for one week. Simple resolutions are not presented to the President and have no force of law. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Bills & Resolutions | house.gov[6]Congress.gov — How Our Laws Are Made – Congress.gov Resources

Why it matters: Supporters frame coal as reliable “baseload” power during rising electricity demand; coal supplied about 19.5% of U.S. electricity in 2022, while coal generated about 36% of global electricity that year. Opponents point to pollution and health risks documented by EPA and argue designations like this send the wrong signal for climate goals. [7]U.S. Energy Information Administration — Coal explained: Use of coal (shares an…[8]International Energy Agency — IEA: Electricity – Energy System (global shares,…[4]U.S. EPA — Human Health & Environmental Impacts of the Electric Power Sector

• 3) Who’s For It: Rep. Mike Kennedy (R‑UT) is sponsoring the House effort; Senate Republicans led by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R‑WY) introduced the companion S.Res. 457 with multiple GOP co‑sponsors. Their rationale: honor miners, underscore coal’s role in affordable, reliable energy, and energy security. [3]Sen. Cynthia Lummis (official site) — Lummis press release: Senate Republicans…[2]Congress.gov — S.Res.457 (119th): Designating the week beginning Oct. 19, 2025,…
• Industry support: The National Mining Association applauded the resolution, saying miners supply “abundant, affordable, and reliable energy.” [3]Sen. Cynthia Lummis (official site) — Lummis press release: Senate Republicans…

• 4) Who’s Against It: Environmental and clean‑energy advocates argue coal‑fired power harms health and the climate; EPA highlights links between power‑plant pollution (SO2, NOx, mercury, PM2.5) and serious health effects. [4]U.S. EPA — Human Health & Environmental Impacts of the Electric Power Sector
• Some advocacy statements opposing the “Coal Week” push have emphasized that celebrating coal conflicts with emissions‑reduction goals. [9]K2 Radio News (Wyoming) — Local report: Critics question “Coal Week” timing and…

5) What’s Next: As a simple House resolution, H.Res. 823 stays within the House. After introduction it is referred to committee and could later be scheduled for floor consideration; the Senate companion (S.Res. 457) has been referred to the Judiciary Committee. There are no votes yet. [1]U.S. House of Representatives — Bills & Resolutions | house.gov[2]Congress.gov — S.Res.457 (119th): Designating the week beginning Oct. 19, 2025,…

6) Tone: Neutral and factual—this resolution is principally about messaging around coal’s role; supporters emphasize reliability and workers, while critics emphasize pollution and climate trade‑offs. [3]Sen. Cynthia Lummis (official site) — Lummis press release: Senate Republicans…[4]U.S. EPA — Human Health & Environmental Impacts of the Electric Power Sector