WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Democratic cosponsors of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, issued the following joint statement in response to passage of chemical safety reform in the U.S. House of Representatives:
"The nation needs a workable chemical safety law, and while we don't agree with the details of the House bill, tonight's vote is yet another bipartisan demonstration that Congress must act. We expect the Senate's comprehensive TSCA reform bill, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, to receive a strong bipartisan vote in the Senate in the coming weeks.
"Families in our states -- and across the country -- want a strong, comprehensive law that will finally keep their communities safe from dangerous chemicals. We are committed to ensuring EPA has the necessary tools, resources and mandates to create a comprehensive chemical safety system. That includes a clear focus on chemicals that pose a risk to the environment and public health, a mandate to review the safety of all new and existing chemicals, authority directing the EPA to test chemicals, assurance that companies can no longer hide information from the public, and clear regulatory authorities. We look forward to working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers to ensure that the bill that goes to the president's desk is as strong and comprehensive as possible."
