Pfas Action Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank him for his extraordinary leadership as chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I thank him for bringing this important legislation to the floor. I thank Mr. Tonko for his leadership as chair of the subcommittee of jurisdiction, the Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee, and I thank Mr. McKinley, the ranking member on that subcommittee.

I respectfully disagree with the ranking member of the full committee, and I will tell you why. I join our colleagues in support of the PFAS Action Act to address the serious public health issue that is a threat; PFAS chemicals, which are contaminating the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the food we eat.

First, I salute Representative Debbie Dingell, a crusader in our mission to protect our communities from dangerous PFAS chemicals. I thank, again, as I said, Chairman Pallone, Chairman Tonko, and Ranking Member McKinley.

Mr. Speaker, PFAS are referred to as ``forever chemicals''. They are so called because they do not easily break down and even accumulate over time. Right now, they are exposing millions of Americans to health risks ranging from cancer to asthma, and liver disease to thyroid dysfunction.

For babies, they can be particularly devastating with prenatal exposure potentially leading to abnormal growth in utero, low birth rate, and increased risk of childhood obesity and infections. Our distinguished chairman enumerated other threats to the health and wellbeing of the American people.

When people ask me: What are the three most important issues facing the Congress, I always say the same thing: Our children, our children, our children, their health, their education, the economic security of their families, and a safe and clean environment where they can thrive in a world of peace in which they can reach their fulfillment.

Mr. Speaker, PFAS chemicals are clearly and seriously harming to our children's health.

A coalition of public health groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Medical Association, and Children's Environmental Health Network, have written: ``These ubiquitous substances pose severe health risks across the United States and represent a growing threat to public health.''

They further state: ``PFAS are particularly dangerous . . . widespread and likely present in the drinking water of tens of millions of Americans.''

Further: ``Developing infants and children are particularly vulnerable to PFAS exposure. . . .

``Of concern, almost all fetuses and infants will have some degree of exposure to PFAS. . . .

``PFAS exposure before birth or in early childhood has been associated with decreased birth weight, effects on renal function and lipid serum levels, and immune system dysfunction.''

That statement was from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, National Medical Association, and the Children's Environmental Health Network.

In addition to our children and young people, PFAS also poses a serious risk to America's servicemembers. There is an epidemic of contamination on military sites with more than 400 sites across the United States affected.

I have had the privilege, Mr. Speaker, of hearing the concerns of many of these families. It is not just about the servicemembers, it is about their children who are affected.

It is unacceptable that the men and women who sacrifice to keep us safe around the world face this danger to their health and that of their children here at home. Yet, despite these obvious and well-known risks, big corporations have for decades failed or refused to prevent their spread.

A new study published last week shows that based on EPA data, an estimated 30,000 industrial sites are known or suspected of using toxic PFAS; 12 times what had been previously estimated. We cannot accept a situation where big special interests' bottom line comes before the public's lives.

To address this crisis, 2 years ago, Democrats crafted strong legislation to rid our communities of PFAS. Many Democrats, and many Members here, played a key role in crafting PFAS-related bills that were included in the bipartisan NDAA agreement reached in the House that year.

I thank Chairman Smith and the members of the committee. Unfortunately, the GOP Senate then refused to support full protections against PFAS chemicals and cut those key provisions from the NDAA; that is, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Last year, House Democrats passed the PFAS Action Act of 2019, which passed with strong bipartisan support, but did not become law because Mitch McConnell senselessly refused to take it up in the Senate.

Now the Democratic House will, once again, pass the PFAS Action Act and send it to the Senate. We are making clear that this legislation is a priority for the American people, and we will not relent until it is enacted.

This legislation will clean up our communities by designating the two most-studied PFAS as a hazardous substance by the EPA and setting a deadline for the EPA to make designation decisions about all other PFAS chemicals.

Next, it will create new, well-funded grants and partnerships with States to help clean up and remedy sites. It will stem the tide of further contamination with tough new testing, reporting, and monitoring requirements; strict limits on the introduction of new PFAS chemicals; limits on air pollution; banning unsafe incineration; and strong measures to hold contaminating companies accountable.

I spent the time to be so specific because this is such a threat to the health and well-being of our children, our children, our children. I urge a strong vote for this legislation, which honors our first responsibility of Congress, to keep our American people safe.

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