Frank Lautenberg

I think the States will keep acting.

I have reiterated that call for Republican input at almost every opportunity.

I thank the chairman of the Judiciary Committee who always has things of relevance to talk to us about and he has done that again today and we thank the chairman.

Americans have among the highest blood concentrations of chemicals in the world.

Dr. Stapleton, studies have found that children born in this country have higher levels of toxic chemicals than those in other countries.

The EPA has determined that PBDE flame retardants...may be persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment.

I must say that there is a subtle implication here that this is some part of either Government or otherwise.

Is there anything that we can do to help ameliorate the conditions that these people find themselves in?

the States will continue to take action until we are confident that public health is protected.

Thus, I wrote a law that was called the Right to Know Law, and the consequence was that there was a substantial reduction in the amount of toxic emissions that were coming from these companies.

It is fairly obvious then...that companies realize a that there is a risk to people in our society from exposure to these chemicals.

It is regrettable that we find ourselves kind of landlocked here.

I never liked this thing.

Would you not think that if EPA had the authority to address these chemicals under TSCA that the States could be relieved of a burden knowing that they are doing the right thing and leveling the playing field, no matter what State you are…

At the end of May I agreed to discussions but made clear that we needed to show progress.

Manufacturers...are struggling with the patchwork of regulations that is developing in the United States.

if a broadcaster is seeking to force a cable operator to pay an exorbitant fee for retransmission rights, the cable operators will have an opportunity to seek relief at the FCC.

The letter also expressed concern that EPA's authority to address these toxic flame retardants is limited under our current chemical safety law, the Toxic Substances Control Act.

I'm fearful that one of these days an airline will want to charge for an opportunity to go to the lavatory and what kind of a charge might be imposed for that kind of facility.

If I may, Madam Chairman, for a moment--are we seeing better progress in the new generation in other major countries and their systems?

Because one of the things that we see happening is that there are fee revenues being developed for different services--where do you want to sit, do you want to eat, do you want this, do you want that?

yesterday we witnessed quite a sight. Not a single Republican was willing to stand up to oppose secret money and elections. Today they will have another chance to announce their support and tell their constituents whether they would prefer…

In Asia and Latin America and those areas, the requirements are not being made rapidly enough?

Are you aware of whether or not Customs is providing adequate staffing at Newark?

Thanks, Madam Chairman, for holding this hearing. It sounds like a bit of an anomaly to me.