WASHINGTON, DC - The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy, chaired by Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), will hold a legislative hearing on a discussion draft of the TSCA Modernization Act next Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 10:15 a.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Chairman Shimkus put forward the new discussion draft today, which builds off the subcommittee’s work to reform chemical management last Congress and further bipartisan negotiations this year.
The draft legislation seeks to reform the decades-old Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in an effort to improve the safety of chemicals while encouraging continued innovation and economic growth. The draft bill will provide a new system by which EPA will evaluate risks associated with chemicals already on the market.
“TSCA reform has long been a priority of mine as chairman of this subcommittee, and I believe that this is the year we can finish the job. We have held countless hearings on the law and worked closely on a bipartisan basis to find common ground," said Shimkus. “The TSCA Modernization Act is an effort that everyone should be able to get behind as reforming the law is a win-win for safety and our economy. I appreciate my colleagues’ willingness to come to the table and work together on this important issue and I’m more hopeful than ever that we can achieve bipartisan success."
“This bill is good for jobs, good for consumers, and good for the environment. I’m encouraged by the bipartisan negotiations thus far and I hope we can soon count this bill as another win on the scoreboard of our committee’s bipartisan record of success," said full committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).
Ranking Member of the full committee Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) added, “Updating TSCA to ensure that the American people and our environment are protected from dangerous chemicals is critical. I commend Chairman Shimkus for working with Committee Democrats in an open and bipartisan manner. This draft bill is a good starting point, and I look forward to hearing from and working with stakeholders as we move forward."
EPA Assistant Administrator Jim Jones and a panel of stakeholders are expected to testify at next Tuesday’s hearing.as they are posted.
