Genesee News

Members Will Advocate for Urgent Action to Address Harmful PFAS Chemicals 

FLINT—Congressmen Dan Kildee (MI-08) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-04) On May 5, relaunched the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force for the 118th Congress.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” pose grave dangers to human health and the environment. They are a group of fluorinated compounds that have been used for several decades in products such as nonstick pans, firefighting foams, stain- and water-resistant fabrics, food packaging and cosmetics. As a result, communities across the country have had to address PFAS contamination in their soil, surface water, groundwater and food supplies.

Since 2019, the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force, consisting of Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives, has worked across the aisle to urgently address the threat of PFAS to better protect communities from the effects of these harmful chemicals. Specifically, the Task Force:

• Promotes legislation to address PFAS contamination.
• Holds informational events to educate Members of Congress and their staff to increase awareness about PFAS chemicals.
• Meets with congressional leadership, committee chairs and ranking members to ensure PFAS is adequately and more urgently addressed.
• Fights for funding through federal appropriations to research the harmful effects of these forever chemicals and to remediate PFAS contamination.

“I am proud to once again launch the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force,” said Congressman Kildee. “While we have made progress, PFAS continues to be a threat to communities across Michigan and the country. I look forward to working with my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, to address and clean up PFAS chemicals.”

“PFAS chemical contamination is a grave public health threat and environmental issue in my district and for communities across the nation,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “While Congress and successive administrations have taken steps in the right direction, we must continue to pursue a whole-of-government approach to the research, restriction, and remediations of these ‘forever chemicals.’ I am proud to serve alongside Congressman Kildee as co-chair of the bipartisan PFAS Task Force and look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to further protect our children and families from the impact of PFAS contamination.”

“The Congressional PFAS Task Force is living proof that public health is not a partisan issue,” said Tony Spaniola, Co-Chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network.  “Communities on the front lines of PFAS contamination need Members of Congress from both political parties to come together to tackle this important issue.  We thank Congressman Kildee, Congressman Fitzpatrick and all of the Task Force Members for their continuing efforts, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to protect our families and our communities from harmful PFAS exposures.”

Other Members of Congress joining co-chairs Kildee and Fitzpatrick on the Congressional PFAS Task Force are Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Jack Bergman (MI-01), Don Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), André Carson (IN-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Jason Crow (CO-06), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Mike Gallagher (WI-08), Jared Golden (ME-02), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Bill Keating (MA-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Ann Kuster (NH-02), John Larson (CT-01), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Nancy Mace (SC-01), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Grace Meng (NY-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-47), Bill Posey (FL-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Elissa Slotkin (MI-07), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Michael Turner (OH-10), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Tim Walberg (MI-05) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

“In Michigan, our water is our way of life, which is why I’m looking forward to getting back to work on the bipartisan PFAS Task Force. Cleaning these ‘forever chemicals’ out of our lakes, rivers, and streams is long overdue, and I’m grateful to Congressmen Kildee and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this task force,” said Congresswoman Slotkin. “Our leaders have kicked the can down the road when it comes to PFAS for far too long, and Michiganders have shouldered the burden. From farmers irrigating their crops, to service members stationed at military installations, to working families enjoying the Great Lakes, Michiganders of all stripes are impacted by PFAS contamination. I’ll be thinking of them as I continue my work on the task force to keep their water clean.”

“PFAS exposure is an urgent public health threat, and we have a responsibility to the American people to protect them from the dangerous effects of these forever chemicals, which are found in too many materials we use every day. This challenge demands a bipartisan effort, and remains a top priority in my work. I’m proud of the progress we have made so far with the bipartisan PFAS Action Act, which has resulted in the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the recent designation of select PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, and the proposal of a national drinking water standard, but there’s still a lot of work ahead to remove these harmful chemicals from our drinking water, our environment, and consumer goods. I will continue to work with the members of this task force to get the PFAS Action Act over the finish line, get PFAS out of firefighter’s equipment, and keep it out of our products including makeup, food containers, and cookware,” said Congresswoman Dingell.

“Water is a way of life in West Michigan. It’s essential that all Michiganders—and all Americans—have access to clean drinking water,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “I look forward to joining my colleagues on the PFAS Task Force in working in a bipartisan manner to clean up our water and improve the lives of working families.”

“Since its inception in 2019, the Congressional PFAS Task Force has made a major difference in Congress's understanding and actions relating to the contamination of PFAS chemicals in our environment and their harmful effects on public health,” said Congressman Boyle. “The PFAS Task Force has been one of the primary drivers behind PFAS legislation over the last 4 years. It is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action. Through collaborative efforts the task force has made a difference in the mitigation and impact of PFAS on our communities. We must continue those efforts in order to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations.”

“When I visited the Highland Dairy in Clovis I saw firsthand how these forever chemicals - PFAS - can ruin lives and livelihoods when they enter our waters and soil,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “I am thankful for the leadership of Congressman Kildee and Congressman Fitzpatrick for restarting the PFAS Task Force. As a member of the task force, I secured amendments to make sure the EPA considers the risk of PFAS in agriculture and to hold the government accountable for the PFAS contamination it has caused. We can't allow PFAS to work itself into our food system, environment, and communities. We must protect this beautiful place we call home.”

“Communities across the country, including Tucson and others in Southern Arizona, have been impacted and are dealing with severe the impacts of PFAS contamination first-hand. Together, with the PFAS Taskforce, we will work to address environmental justice and public health concerns that have long been ignored. I’m proud to be part of this group of lawmakers that is working to comprehensively address PFAS, its contamination of our water supply, hold polluters accountable and ensure that we advocate for the necessary legislation to remedy it,” said Congressman Grijalva.

“The health and safety of my constituents is my top priority in Congress. Given the elevated levels of PFAS contamination across the Massachusetts Fourth, I am determined to work with the PFAS Task Force to ensure the necessary steps are taken for assessment, monitoring, and remediation of this contamination,” said Congressman Auchincloss.

“Addressing PFAS is critically important for our public health and our environment,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “I have worked to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding toward PFAS remediation, cleanup, and research to understand how we can keep communities safe, protect our national security interests, and transition to a future free of these harmful chemicals. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the PFAS Task Force on these goals.” 

“In Maine, there are countless families, farmers, and businesses that are being terribly impacted by PFAS contamination. And the more we learn about these harmful forever chemicals, the more urgent it becomes to address the growing crisis that’s risking our constituents’ health and uprooting lives,” said Congresswoman Pingree. “I look forward to continuing working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle on the PFAS Task Force to keep our communities safe from contaminants.”

“Colorado families should be able to trust that their water is clean and drinkable,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m grateful to join bipartisan colleagues in re-launching the PFAS Task Force to find solutions for the elimination of dangerous “forever chemicals” and to protect our communities.”

“For decades, PFAS has contaminated the drinking water of communities in Pennsylvania and across our country, causing people to develop health challenges—Congress must advocate for more research, funding, and legislation to ensure clean and safe water,” Congresswoman Dean said. “The PFAS Task Force is committed to educate and legislate against these deeply harmful forever chemicals, and I look forward to our continued bipartisan efforts to protect the health and safety of our communities.”

“Everyone in the Hudson Valley deserves access to clean water, air and soil. And that starts with addressing PFAS contamination, toxic chemicals that have plagued my community for far too long,” said Congressman Ryan. “I’m proud to re-launch the bipartisan PFAS Task Force as we work across the aisle to increase funding to clean up PFAS contamination and craft legislation to protect Hudson Valley families from the harmful effects of these dangerous chemicals.”

“PFAS is present in dozens of communities across Wisconsin, and in multiple locations throughout the Third District. The federal government mandated these chemicals and it’s the federal government’s responsibility to clean them up. Wisconsinites should be able to access water without fear of contamination. I’m proud to join the PFAS Task Force to work towards a better future and cleaner environment for our children and wildlife,” said Congressman Van Orden.

“We have made progress in addressing PFAS contamination in our country but we must do more to get rid of these harmful ‘forever’ chemicals. Connecticut’s First District is all too familiar with these contaminations after 50,000 gallons of PFAS firefighting foam spilled into the Farmington River in Windsor. I am proud to join with my colleagues today to once again recommit ourselves to ensuring our communities have the resources they need to clean up these chemicals and live happy, healthy lives,” said Congressman Larson.

“I am pleased to join the bipartisan PFAS Task Force to turn off the tap on these dangerous forever chemicals and hold polluters accountable,” said Congresswoman Kuster.

“We have made a lot of important progress in understanding PFAS as a bipartisan group and I’m looking forward to working together over the next two years,” said Congressman Posey.

Last Congress, Kildee and the bipartisan Congressional PFAS Task Force fought to secure resources for communities affected by PFAS contamination. The group urged President Biden to include robust funding to address PFAS in his Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Congressman Kildee introduced legislation to ban firefighting foams containing the dangerous chemicals in the United States. Kildee also introduced a bill to ensure health care for veterans exposed to toxic PFAS chemicals while on duty.

Original source can be found here.