Klobuchar-Backed Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Families from Dangerous Chemicals Passes Senate

Statement

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar backed bipartisan legislation to protect families from dangerous chemicals. The legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review new and existing chemicals and regulate them based on the impact they would have on those most at risk, ensures chemical companies cannot hide information about their products from the public, and requires chemical companies to contribute to the cost of regulation. The legislation overhauls the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). In the 39 years since TSCA was enacted, the EPA has been able to restrict just five chemicals, and it has prevented only four chemicals from going to market - out of the more than 23,000 new chemicals manufactured since 1976. The bill must now be reconciled with the U.S. House of Representatives-passed legislation.

"This is a critical bipartisan step forward in protecting our families from the dangers of toxic chemicals," said Klobuchar. "In this complex economy, people need strong advocates who will fight to ensure the safety and integrity of the goods, products, and services they buy, and I will remain vigilant in my work to protect American families."

Klobuchar has been a leader in the U.S. Senate in protecting consumers and holding those responsible for wrongdoing accountable. Since her time as a prosecutor, she has made protecting citizens a priority, including calling for the recent prosecution of ‎peanut company executives responsible for a salmonella outbreak that sickened 714 people in 46 states and contributed to nine deaths. Klobuchar has also advocated for consumer safety through supporting the installation of smart phone "kill switches,' limiting the amount of lead used in toys, and ensuring safe pool drains. Recently, Klobuchar sent a letter to the EPA in response to the recent Volkswagen revelations to question the agency's diesel emissions testing process; call on the agency to immediately address consumer, environmental, and public health concerns; and urge the agency to establish robust safeguards to prevent automakers from gaming the system again. ‎Following the call to action from Klobuchar, the EPA has announced it will be bolstering its diesel emissions testing process. She has also urged the EPA to finish implementing bipartisan legislation she passed into law five years ago to protect consumers from formaldehyde in wood products.

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