Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) issued the following statement today in response to an order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to ban the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos. The 9th Circuit Court decision nullified efforts by the Trump Administration to overturn a proposed ban on the pesticide, which has been found to pose a health hazard to humans:
“Today, the Court did the EPA’s job by protecting the health and environment of the American people. I am pleased by the Court’s decision, and by its rightful criticism of the Trump EPA for dragging its feet in restricting this harmful chemical. Scientists had already found it was present in food and drinking water at unsafe levels, in blatant violation of chemical standards. EPA must follow the science and ban this toxic and harmful pesticide that causes serious neurodevelopmental harm in infants and children.
“I remain concerned about the ongoing conflicts of interest at the Trump EPA that led to this situation in the first place. The Republican Congress has failed to join us in conducting any oversight of the toxics programs and the blatant industry influence that led to this pesticide remaining on the market. This culture of corruption needs to end, and the American people need an EPA that puts their needs first, not chemical companies’ profits."
Since the Administration’s decision last year, Pallone has joined with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Gene Green (D-TX), Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) to demand oversight of EPA’s decision to forgo a ban on the pesticide by both EPA’s Inspector General and Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). Separately, Pallone had also criticized an effort by then EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt to have the National Marine Fisheries Service reconsider its decision that chlorpyrifos use jeopardizes endangered salmon.
