Press Releases
Tonko Criticizes Just-Released EPA Toxic Substance RulesAgency action appears to put special interests ahead of public health & safety
Washington,
June 23, 2017
"At first glance, the new rules appear to put the public’s wellbeing second to industry. We have spent decades without a working federal chemical safety regime, but unfortunately, the confidence this bill was supposed to restore to the American public is already being eroded... We deserve a deeper review as to whether the law is being implemented as Congress intended and whether the American people are receiving the protection from toxic chemicals that they were promised." - Rep. Paul Tonko
WASHINGTON – Energy and Commerce Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko released the following statement in response to three final Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules required by last year’s reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), commonly known as the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act: “One year ago, I voiced my objections to a bill that did not go far enough to guarantee that the public would be protected from toxic chemicals. Yesterday’s released rules show that my concerns were not unfounded. At first glance, the new rules appear to put the public’s wellbeing second to industry. We have spent decades without a working federal chemical safety regime, but unfortunately, the confidence this bill was supposed to restore to the American public is already being eroded. “In the days ahead, we will continue to work to better understand how these rules will impact Americans. At the very least, I believe the Energy and Commerce Committee must hold oversight hearings on the law’s implementation. We deserve a deeper review as to whether the law is being implemented as Congress intended and whether the American people are receiving the protection from toxic chemicals that they were promised.” Rep. Tonko served as a lead House negotiator to reform the TSCA. He ultimately opposed the final bill. # # # |