WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. House of Representatives voted today in favor of H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act, with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 398 to 1. The TSCA Modernization Act was authored by Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL), Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY), Full Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), and Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
H.R. 2576 is a bipartisan breakthrough for the committee. 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.
“The TSCA Modernization Act has been a long time in the making. The bill is clear and understandable and takes a common sense approach to protecting people from unsafe chemical exposure while setting a new standard for quality regulation," said Shimkus. “The time is now to update this outdated law and keep the momentum and bipartisan spirit moving forward until the president signs it into law."
“Today, we cleared a large hurdle and got one step closer toward improving a deeply flawed law that has been in place for 40 years. H.R. 2576 strengthens public health and environmental protections, and provides the chemical industry with an efficient, fair program of chemical regulations. I thank Chairman Shimkus, Chairman Upton, and Ranking Member Pallone for their hard work and partnership in this important effort," said Tonko. “I look forward to TSCA’s swift consideration by the Senate so that the President can sign this legislation into law."
“Many doubted that we could get this done. But today’s passage of TSCA reform is an historic step towards effectively removing toxic chemicals from the products millions of American families use every day," said Pallone. “I want to thank Chairman Shimkus, Chairman Upton, and Ranking Member Tonko for their leadership on this issue and their willingness to work in a bipartisan way to craft legislation that will protect us from dangerous chemicals. This bill is a true testament to what we can achieve when we work together. 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.“
Full committee Chairman Upton concluded, “The breakthrough bipartisan bill is the culmination of a multi-year, multi-Congress effort to modernize our decades-old chemical safety laws. The Toxic Substances Control Act, which was signed into law by Michigan’s own President Jerry Ford, needs to be updated for the 21st century. This thoughtful bill improves chemical safety while encouraging continued innovation and economic growth. The TSCA Modernization Act is good for consumers, good for trade, good for the environment, and good for jobs."
