April 21, 2025
Mr. McGovern submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Recognizing the history of the drug diethylstilbestrol and the harm it has caused, and for other purposes.
Whereas diethylstilbestrol (DES
) is a toxic and carcinogenic estrogen and endocrine disrupter;
Whereas the Food and Drug Administration (FDA
) approved DES in the early 1940s;
Whereas DES was widely prescribed, with the intention of preventing miscarriage, to between five and ten million pregnant women in the United States until 1971;
Whereas DES exposure in utero was linked to the development of rare cancers of the vagina and cervix called clear cell adenocarcinoma in female children, commonly referred to as DES Daughters
;
Whereas the FDA banned the use of DES during pregnancy in the United States in 1971;
Whereas DES exposure in utero has since been linked to increased fertility and pregnancy complications and other physical and mental health challenges;
Whereas the FDA has acknowledged the harm caused by DES but has yet to apologize to the families of those impacted by its prolonged use; and
Whereas April 20 through 26, 2025, would be an appropriate week to designate as DES Awareness Week
: Now, therefore, be it
Sec.
That the House of Representatives—
(1)
expresses support for the designation of DES Awareness Week
;
(2)
recognizes the history of the drug diethylstilbestrol and the harm it has caused;
(3)
supports the restoration of funding for the DES Follow-Up Study; and
(4)
urges the Food and Drug Administration to issue a formal apology to families impacted by diethylstilbestrol.