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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) have announced their support for the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.
“Following a Chicago Tribune series in 2012 that revealed that flame-retardant chemicals added to furniture and other household goods are useless and toxic for American families, I began calling for reform of the antiquated law regulating toxic chemicals,” Durbin said. “Today’s agreement reflects a bipartisan effort to give the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) additional resources and authority to more effectively regulate chemicals and ensure timely compliance with new laws. Further delay in reforming this broken system risks exposing more families to toxic substances and leaves the EPA with little recourse against the aggressive chemical companies that have been exploiting the lack of oversight.”
The bill was introduced by U.S. Sens. Tom Udall (D-NM) and David Vitter (R-LA).
Udall thanked Durbin and Markey for their support of the bill. Udall emphasized the necessity of making necessary changes to the law.
"The law has been broken for far too long, and as we prepare to begin debate on the Senate floor, I encourage all lawmakers to act to protect families, young children and pregnant women from dangerous chemicals and support this bill," Udall said.
To date, 60 senators have co-sponsored the bill.
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