To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide medical providers of the Department of Defense mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 28, 2021

This bill requires the Department of Defense to provide each of its medical providers with mandatory training regarding the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8] · D–MI

Committees

Armed Services Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Sep 28, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Sep 28, 2021
Introduced in House
Sep 28, 2021
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Sep 28, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jun 6, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5403 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5403, 117th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide medical providers of the Department of Defense mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5403

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr5403/BILLS-117hr5403ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.5403 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.5403 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5403, 117th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide medical providers of the Department of Defense mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5403

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr5403/BILLS-117hr5403ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5403 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.5403 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5403, 117th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide medical providers of the Department of Defense mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5403

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr5403/BILLS-117hr5403ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5403 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.5403 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.5403, 117th Congress: To direct the Secretary of Defense to provide medical providers of the Department of Defense mandatory training with respect to the potential health effects of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/5403

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-09-28.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr5403/BILLS-117hr5403ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-06-06T14:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.5403 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.