Roundup Lawsuit Battle Heads to Congress as Lawmakers Look to Upend Supreme Court Decision
In the wake of a key U.S. Supreme Court decision, the fierce battle over the fate of tens of thousands of Roundup lawsuits has escalated.
Last week, the court determined that the central claims in these lawsuits were overruled by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
The 7-2 decision blocks failure-to-warn claims in Roundup lawsuits because the weed killer’s label was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency without a cancer warning.
Thousands of people have sued, claiming that they developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after being exposed to the popular pesticide. Their cases have largely been left in limbo in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision.
But lawmakers in Congress are now focusing on a potential workaround. The New Lede reported that an amendment was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday that would alter FIFRA. This move could potentially revive the litigation and upend the court’s decision.
That amendment, introduced by Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, could potentially draw bipartisan support.
Bayer Pushes Forward With $7.25 Billion Roundup Settlement
Last week’s Supreme Court ruling had long been a central piece of manufacturing giant Bayer’s plan to escape the wide-ranging litigation. The company has suffered several big defeats when these cases have reached trial, including a $2.1 billion verdict in 2025 for a Georgia man who developed cancer.
But the company is also focused on completing a settlement that could resolve both current and future Roundup lawsuits.
The deal, worth $7.25 billion, is currently working through the approval process in Missouri state court. But it has faced notable criticism from some plaintiffs and law firms over claims that it doesn’t provide enough compensation to people who were impacted.
Under the terms of the deal, some claimants could walk away with as little as $6,000.
The Roundup settlement is also in the midst of a venue battle, with some objectors pushing to move its approval process to federal court, where it would be much more likely to fail.
An approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for early next month, but is expected to be postponed.