Frank Pallone

Well, he said he was going to ban it.

Unfortunately, it is now clear that, despite the best efforts of our Committee, the Trump EPA is not using the tools we gave it to regulate dangerous chemicals.

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act for the 21st Century empowered EPA to ban asbestos.

Today this Committee is beginning to take action by discussing H.R. 1603, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act, which Reps. Bonamici, Slotkin and I introduced in March.

Twenty-eight years of frustration, of sickness, and loss. We have known the dangers of asbestos for decades. Enough is enough.

Congress must act; and we are certainly going to act.

It is deeply disappointing that 40 years after EPA began work to ban asbestos under TSCA, we need to pass another law to ban this deadly substance.

It is now clear that, despite the best efforts of our committee, the Trump EPA is not using the tools we gave it to regulate dangerous chemicals.

Our bill would ban the manufacture, import, processing, and distribution of asbestos.

Asbestos is still being imported into the United States, and it is still being used in this country, and it is still killing about 40,000 Americans every year.

We have known the dangers of asbestos for decades and, frankly, enough is enough.

The legacy of asbestos, unfortunately, is very much with us, and we are passing it on to the next generation.

But we are here today because EPA has not used that new authority and responsibility, and we are here to further amend that law to finally protect working people and to save lives.

Unfortunately, that is not good enough. I am sure other Members will discuss concerns with the asbestos risk evaluation.

This legislation would prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution of asbestos and asbestos-containing mixtures and articles one year after its enactment.

Based on the available public health and scientific data, and the heartbreaking experience of Linda's family and hundreds of thousands of others like her, that means stopping asbestos use once and for all.

It was the most glaring example of the inadequacy of our nation's Toxic Substances Control Act.

For the sake of our consumers and our loved ones, the United States must do the same.

I am so proud to be holding this hearing today, and I hope we are able to move forward on behalf of all the people-the victims and their families-that Linda is here to help represent.

Unless we have more resources, but, believe me, I am the last person who thinks that Federal agencies or the people that work there don't do anything.

The burden should not fall on consumers to stop fraud.

If I download a flashlight app, for example, it shouldn't need my precise location and it definitely shouldn't then go and sell that information to the highest bidder, all without my permission.

Companies are collecting more data than ever and using it in ways that most consumers would never imagine.

I encourage you all today to also discuss the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act because I think it is in need of substantial updates.

We must give the FTC the resources it needs to become a global leader on privacy and data security.