Europe experiences record heat wave with significant excess deaths
A heat wave across Europe has led to thousands of excess deaths, particularly in France. The World Health Organization has reported a concerning rise in fatalities linked to extreme temperatures. (sources: dw, abc, ap, bbc, france24)
A heat wave across Europe has led to thousands of excess deaths, particularly in France. The World Health Organization has reported a concerning rise in fatalities linked to extreme temperatures. (sources: dw, abc, ap, bbc, france24)
- Europe heat wave: 1,000 excess deaths recorded in France (dw)
- Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says (dw)
↓ Congress can act on this
6 bills on this issue are moving right now — and the most active one is HR4443: Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025.
HR4443 · 119th Congress
Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025
Where do you stand on this bill?
Takes about 60 seconds
About this bill
What HR4443 actually does
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would require OSHA to promulgate a heat-illness prevention standard for workers.
If passed, it would:
- require OSHA to promulgate a heat-illness prevention standard for workers • create a federal baseline for employer heat protections rather than leaving protections uneven across states.
5 other bills moving on this issue
Take action on any of them individually.
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would add extreme heat to the Stafford Act definition of a major disaster.
If passed, it would
- add extreme heat to the Stafford Act definition of a major disaster • make it easier for affected jurisdictions to seek federal disaster assistance during deadly heat events.
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would direct FEMA to review and modernize how incident periods and extreme-weather response are handled.
If passed, it would
- direct FEMA to review and modernize how incident periods and extreme-weather response are handled • push federal guidance and planning more explicitly toward extreme-heat preparedness.
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would authorize FEMA assistance, including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel, for extreme heat events.
If passed, it would
- authorize FEMA assistance, including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel, for extreme heat events • give state and local governments a faster federal resource stream during severe heat emergencies.
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would establish the National Integrated Heat Health Information System and an interagency committee focused on heat risk.
If passed, it would
- establish the National Integrated Heat Health Information System and an interagency committee focused on heat risk • support better extreme-heat forecasts, warnings, and interagency planning.
This story is about Europe heat wave: Over 1,300 excess deaths, WHO says. This bill would create a HUD grant program for projects that mitigate excess urban heat.
If passed, it would
- create a HUD grant program for projects that mitigate excess urban heat • support built-environment changes that reduce dangerous exposure in hotter neighborhoods.
Top coverage · 14 sources