MAHA's role expands into environmental rules at the EPA

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) coalition has moved from shaping health policy into environmental discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency; Administrator Lee Zeldin announced new restrictions on five chemicals and the agency says it will publish a 'MAHA agenda' in the coming months.

MAHA, the Make America Healthy Again coalition, has moved from influencing federal health policy into environmental regulation talks with the Environmental Protection Agency. On New Year's Eve, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced new restrictions on five chemicals used in building materials, plastics and adhesives and described the action as a MAHA win. Activists aligned with MAHA have met with Zeldin and EPA staff in recent months, and the agency says it will publish a MAHA agenda in the coming months. The coalition's involvement follows earlier successes shaping health policy and has already affected some legislative discussions on pesticide liability. Key details: - Administrator Lee Zeldin announced restrictions on five chemicals and framed the announcement as a "MAHA win." - The EPA has said it will produce a "MAHA agenda" that responds to priorities voiced by MAHA advocates and communities. - MAHA activists, including organizers and scientists, have held meetings with Zeldin and EPA deputies and joined regular calls with agency staffers. - The coalition previously influenced health policy debates and helped remove proposed liability shields for pesticide makers from a federal funding bill; a similar measure stalled in Tennessee. - Environmental groups and some scientists expressed concern about industry influence at the agency, noting recent hires with industry backgrounds; EPA officials say decisions are driven by statutory standards, science and ethics reviews. Summary: MAHA's growing access to the EPA has brought its health-focused priorities into environmental rulemaking discussions, with an agency promise to publish a MAHA agenda in the coming months. The development has political implications because MAHA represents an organized voting bloc and has already affected legislative language, while questions remain about the balance between activist demands and existing industry ties at the agency.