Pallone Statement on Senate Passage of TSCA Reform Legislation

Press Release

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, made the following statement on Senate passage today of legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

"I'm pleased that the Senate has acted on its version of legislation to reform TSCA," said Congressman Pallone. "Today's action brings us one step closer to a goal that both I and my friend the late Senator Frank R. Lautenberg shared: effectively removing toxic chemicals from the products millions of American families use every day. However, we still have a long way to go to reconcile the Senate language with the House bill that passed overwhelmingly earlier this year. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in the House and Senate so that this legislation can be signed into law and Americans can be confident that the products they are using are safe."

On June 23, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act, with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 398 to 1. The House version of the bill was authored by Pallone, along with Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL), Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).

Signed into law in 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has failed to keep up with the risks presented by existing chemicals used in U.S. manufacturing. Today's marketplace, with industry advancements and increased interstate commerce, has demonstrated the need for modernizing the law to facilitate U.S. manufacturing and improve protections for public health and the environment.

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