Political Quotes

“the Senate's final passage today of the bipartisan Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, after 3 years of difficult negotiations, reflects the true nature of compromise. I am glad that we have finally come to an agreement to update our country's ineffective and outdated chemical regulatory program. While this is not a perfect bill, I believe that it goes a long way towards protecting American families from dangerous chemicals and serves as a fitting tribute to Senator Lautenberg, who was a tireless public health advocate. This legislation overhauls the 40-year-old, outdated Toxic Substances Control Act and will bring more than 64,000 chemicals under the review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. Under the old law, the EPA was required to approve chemicals using a burdensome and ineffective economic cost-benefit analysis, but this reform bill will require the EPA to make a decision based solely? on health and safety concerns. Additionally, the Lautenberg act gives the EPA enhanced authority to require testing of both new and existing chemicals, requiring safety reviews for all chemicals in active commerce and a safety finding for new chemicals before they are allowed on the market. The House bill originally included a provision preempting State authority to regulate specific chemicals.…”