Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment and Climate Change Chairman Paul Tonko (D-NY) announced today that the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee will hold a legislative hearing on Wednesday, May 8 at 10 am in 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building on H.R. 1603, the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019. The hearing is entitled, “Ban Asbestos Now: Taking Action to Save Lives and Livelihoods."
“It’s devastating that asbestos continues to kill nearly 40,000 Americans every year considering that the Environmental Protection Agency began the process of banning it 40 years ago," said Pallone and Tonko. “The delays must end. Our hearing will focus on an important public health bill that would ban asbestos in its entirety. We look forward to hearing from expert witnesses and affected families about the profound health risks of asbestos as we consider this legislation."
The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act would ban the production, use and importation of asbestos. The legislation implements a complete ban on the toxic substance one year after the bill’s passage. It was introduced in the House in March by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Pallone and 24 additional cosponsors.
Information for this hearing, including the Committee Memorandum, witness list, testimony, and a live webcast will be posted HERE as they become available.
