National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Chair, I would like to first thank Chairman Smith and the House Armed Services Committee for all their good work crafting the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.

This is a strong bill. It includes many top priorities that will care for our servicemembers and keep the United States well defended, including serious provisions to address PFAS chemical contamination, which is a serious threat at too many of our military bases. PFAS chemicals are manmade and harmful to human health and our environment.

Developed in the 1940s, PFAS can be found across multiple industries and all around us in many of our communities. PFAS contamination is widespread. It is in red States; it is in blue States, in small water systems, in large ones, on military sites, and in residential communities.

Recently, experts with the Environmental Working Group have identified 712 sites in 49 States that have some level of PFAS contamination, and most are not being cleaned up. These sites are associated with drinking water systems serving about 19 million people, and the number of sites is expected to grow across the country because States are just beginning to test for these chemicals.

The Environmental Working Group has also identified 219 military- specific sites that have PFAS contamination because--and, at the time, it is what existed--PFAS firefighting foams were used. Yet, in many States--my home State of Michigan included--cleanup of these sites is not happening.

Unfortunately, the military is part of that problem. They are arguing that, in these communities, they don't have to clean up the PFAS contamination because the Superfund law does not require them to do so.

In May of 2018, the then-EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt proudly announced that EPA would propose designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Superfund law. Under EPA Administrator Wheeler's leadership, EPA hasn't even issued a proposed rulemaking, let alone finalized an action. At this rate, it will be at least another year--at least--and probably longer before this vital step is taken.

Americans deserve better. Congress needs to act, and this amendment would be a meaningful step forward.

It is clear. PFAS chemicals are hazardous, and it is time these chemicals are properly designated as hazardous substances.

Our amendment would simply require the EPA to list PFAS chemicals-- including PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other harmful chemicals--as hazardous substances under the EPA's Superfund cleanup program within 1 year.

Designating this will jump-start the cleanup process at military facilities, which is needed, and in communities across this country; and that is why it is imperative that this amendment be included.

I am proud to have offered this amendment, and I thank all who have supported this approach and make this possible for us to consider today.

Today, we have a real opportunity to help accelerate the cleanup process wherever PFAS contamination exists and protect the health of all Americans, and our servicemen and women, and the environment, now and for future generations. I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee), who I have been proud to work with on this.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source