IV
119THCONGRESS
1
STSESSION H. RES. 342
Recognizing the history of the drug diethylstilbestrol and the harm it has
caused, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL21, 2025
Mr. M
CGOVERNsubmitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the history of the drug diethylstilbestrol and
the harm it has caused, and for other purposes.
Whereas diethylstilbestrol (‘‘DES’’) is a toxic and carcino-
genic estrogen and endocrine disrupter;
Whereas the Food and Drug Administration (‘‘FDA’’) ap-
proved 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 develop-
ment of rare cancers of the vagina and cervix called clear
cell adenocarcinoma in female children, commonly re-
ferred to as ‘‘DES Daughters’’;
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•HRES 342 IH
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 in-
creased 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 im-
pacted 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
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1
(1) expresses support for the designation of 2
‘‘DES Awareness Week’’; 3
(2) recognizes the history of the drug 4
diethylstilbestrol and the harm it has caused; 5
(3) supports the restoration of funding for the 6
DES Follow-Up Study; and 7
(4) urges the Food and Drug Administration to 8
issue a formal apology to families impacted by 9
diethylstilbestrol. 10
Æ
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