Dingell on House Adopted PFAS Contamination Provisions Included in Strong Defense Authorization Bill Passage

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell released the following statement after the House passed the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which includes amendments by Dingell to address PFAS contamination:

"Today, the House passed a bill that shows Democrats prioritize national security and supports the men and women of the military.

"This bill the House passed includes a number of my amendments will help cleanup the more than 200 military sites that have been identified with PFAS contamination. The military is not cleaning it up because they say PFAS is not listed as a hazardous substance under CERCLA, the Superfund Program. What passed the house today ensures that PFAS gets listed as a hazardous substance within a year so that communities can begin to push for cleanup at these sites. My other provisions will also facilitate coordinated response between local communities and the military, and ban the use of PFAS in packaging of meals eaten by men and women in uniform and help.

"We've got to stop kicking the can down the road. We know this is a hazardous material. We know it has harmful effects. We need to start cleaning it up. What's in the bill is only a beginning. I will be working with my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and as the NDAA goes to conference to continue this critical work.

"The broader bill is good for our military and good for our national security. It will strengthen congressional oversight of the military by repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force and ensures Congress has a say before our men and women go to war. We are giving millions of military families a well-deserved pay raise. Congress is putting in place strong guardrails to ensure money is not wasted on an ineffective border wall. These priorities reflect American values by supporting our troops and defending our nation.

"In a time of growing threats and turmoil abroad, it's important that our defense budget matches the value we all hold. I'm glad to see the NDAA reflects those values."

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