On the recordJanuary 8, 2020
On Tuesday, the Rules Committee met and reported a structured rule for House Resolution 779, providing for consideration of H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019. The rule provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment by Chairman Pallone, makes in order 22 amendments, and provides one motion to recommit. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to start the new year and the new congressional session with our first legislative action being a rule for a comprehensive, bipartisan bill to address a threat to our constituents, both across Pennsylvania and across the country. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, have been manufactured and used in the United States for over 60 years. These chemicals are found in everyday products like food packaging materials, cleaning products, nonstick cookware, stain- and water- resistant materials, firefighting foams, and more. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, but two of the most common and most notorious are PFOA and PFOS, substances used to make Teflon and Scotchgard, respectively. PFAS are known as forever chemicals. They do not break down, and they remain in the environment and other living organisms for decades. PFAS chemicals are made of one of the strongest carbon bonds possible.…
