Paul Tonko: “I thank the gentlewoman from Maine for yielding. I support the Pingree-Spanberger amendment, which would expand the…”

“I thank the gentlewoman from Maine for yielding. I support the Pingree-Spanberger amendment, which would expand the voluntary label for PFAS-free products to include carpets, rugs, clothing, and upholstered furniture. The PFAS-free label created under this bill was developed by Representative Soto to help consumers who are trying to protect themselves from PFAS risks. I thank Mr. Soto for his work on that provision. Expanding that label to cover carpeting, rugs, clothing, and upholstered furniture makes great sense. Recent data suggests that those consumer products can be a significant source of PFAS exposure and that PFAS-free products are available on the market. Currently, consumers have no clear way to know which rugs have PFAS and which do not. Manufacturers that are taking steps to produce these items without PFAS have no way of distinguishing their products in the marketplace. This amendment will give them that tool. I congratulate both Representatives Pingree and Spanberger for their sensitivity to consumers by placing this amendment before us. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment and the overall bill.”