Today Sen. Barbara Boxer will convene a hearing in the Environment and Public Works Committee to discuss a variety of legislative fixes to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), including the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013, a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and the late Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). 

The following statement is from Earthjustice legislative representative Andrea Delgado:

“We commend the EPW committee for hosting a hearing to address a crucial public health issue. Overhauling our toxics law is necessary and we call on Congress to work to fix the Chemical Safety Improvement Act given its many deficiencies, including the fact that the bill does not do enough to protect people, especially overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, from chemical exposures.

“While the Chemical Safety Improvement Act is a step toward TSCA reform, we cannot support it unless changes are adopted. The final law must adequately protect those overburdened communities that are continually exposed to chemicals, allow a continued role for the states in the regulation of toxic chemicals, and ensure that adequate protections are put in place in a timely way, according to clear mandates and timetables.”