PFAS RAPID Response Act
Requires the Defense Department to start interim PFAS remediation at delayed sites and update Congress on cleanup progress.
In the Senate Armed Services Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 14 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
The Defense Department is assessing PFAS at its installations, and some cleanup-related study timelines have been delayed. The bill would require interim remediation to begin at a minimum number of those sites and require timely completion of actions already underway. It would also require a briefing to Congress and a report if too few sites qualify for the minimum.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Start interim actions at delayed sites
Within two years of enactment, the Secretary of Defense would have to start interim PFAS remedial actions at no fewer than 100 covered sites, subject to applicable law.
- Complete ongoing interim actions
The Secretary of Defense would have to ensure timely completion of interim remedial actions already underway at Defense Department installations when the law takes effect.
- Report if fewer sites qualify
The Secretary could act at fewer than 100 covered sites only if too few sites meet a specified federal regulation factor. If using this exception, the Secretary would have to report to Congress that each covered site was assessed and too few qualifying sites were found.
- Brief Congress on cleanup progress
The Secretary of Defense would have to brief the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on the status and outlook of PFAS remediation at covered sites.
The bill focuses on installations where estimated end dates for remedial investigations or feasibility studies have slipped compared with the dates in an earlier Defense Department publication. It aims to move interim PFAS remediation forward at those sites while keeping the work subject to applicable environmental laws.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026SENATESEP 24, 2026By Sen. Peters with 3 original cosponsorsReferred to Armed Services
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 24, 2026ARMED SERVICES NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 14 daysNo hearing yet
- 14 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 14, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 3 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. The smaller side has 1 member.
Sen. Peters’s record: sponsored 85 bills this Congress. 22 passed the Senate; 1 became law.
- Kirsten E. GillibrandD-NYORIGINAL
- Mike RoundsR-SDORIGINAL
- Elissa SlotkinD-MIORIGINAL
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Discussion
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