WASHINGTON - Today, Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) celebrated the House's passage of the PFAS Action Act (H.R. 535), a sweeping set of health and environmental reforms designed to tackle America's PFAS water contamination challenge. The legislation passed by a vote of 247-159 and will now head to Senate for consideration.
"In the face of a serious public health threat, Congress has acted," said Rep. Dean. "Over the last year, we have considered and passed more PFAS legislation than any previous Congress – and this week’s PFAS Action Act marks our most comprehensive step to date. I am especially pleased to see parts of my bill, H.R. 2600, included; this legislation will require EPA to develop rules for safe PFAS disposal."
The PFAS Action Act will:
- Require EPA to mandate cleanup of contaminated sites, set air emission limits, and limit new PFAS chemicals in the marketplace;
- Identify health risks by requiring comprehensive health testing, reporting, and monitoring of PFAS;
- Require a national PFAS drinking water standard that creates clarity for states, municipalities, and private firms; and
- Hold polluters accountable.
Today's vote follows on Rep. Dean's recent announcement of $2.8 million in Air Force funding, which will allow Horsham Air Guard Station to partner with the Warminster Municipal Authority to build a permanent containment and filtration system for PFAS-contaminated surface water.
PFAS chemicals are linked to a range of health consequences, including several types of cancer and impaired immune system performance. The chemicals have long been used in a range of consumer products, and some remain in use on military installations.
Rep. Dean is a founding member of the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force. In May, she hosted members of the PFAS Task Force in the Pennsylvania Fourth District, touring Horsham Air Guard Station and hosting a public roundtable discussion in Upper Dublin.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
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