Udall: Letter from Groups Representing More than 25 Million Americans Asks for Senate Vote on Lautenberg Chemical Safety Reform

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall highlighted a message from national groups representing over 25 million Americans involved in environmental, labor, conservation, health and animal welfare issues, urging the Senate to pass the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. The bill, by Udall and Senator David Vitter, R-La.,would overhaul our nation's broken chemical safety law by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test and regulate chemicals and protect the health of children and the environment. Click here to read more on the bill.

"As advocates for protection of public health, the environment, animal welfare and workers, representing more than 25 million Americans, we believe it is an urgent priority for the Senate to pass this legislation," reads the letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Harry Reid. "America desperately needs this legislation, which would require safety evaluations of all new and existing chemicals, give EPA stronger testing authority, modernize testing methods, and remove the barriers that have prevented EPA from regulating known dangers like asbestos. Importantly, this legislation also would explicitly require protections for the most vulnerable among us, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and workers, and make additional vital reforms to the current law. With 52 cosponsors from 33 states, the Lautenberg Act is poised to receive strong support on the Senate floor. Please make the most of this historic opportunity and allow the Senate to pass this critical chemical safety reform legislation at the first opportunity."

"I want to thank the millions of Americans who are making their voices heard about the need to reform our broken chemical safety law. They're right: We need to reform this law, and it's time to bring this bill to the floor so we can ensure our children and communities are safe from dangerous chemicals," Udall said. "Our bill is ready to go to the floor. We have strong support, and I expect it will pass by a wide margin."

The letter was sent by Environmental Defense Fund, Humane Society of the United States, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, March of Dimes, Moms Clean Air Force, National Wildlife Federation, North America's Building Trades Unions, and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.