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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) filed her bipartisan legislation that comprehensively addresses PFAS contamination as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment is cosponsored by Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Brian Mast (R-FL), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI). 

According to the Environmental Working Group, 297 military sites across the United States have PFAS contamination and as many as 110 million Americans are drinking PFAS contaminated water. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team has so far identified 96 site across the state with PFAS contamination. 

“PFAS is a clear and urgent public health and environmental threat. Contamination sites continues to grow at an alarming rate across the country – especially at our military bases,” said Dingell. “PFAS contamination is poisoning our servicemembers, families, and communities hear military bases. We must accelerate the cleanup process and protect human health and the environment. 

“In January, the House worked together in a bipartisan way to pass the Dingell PFAS bill. We can’t help communities until my legislation is passed by the Senate and signed into law. I’m filing this critical legislation as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act so we can get it over the finish line and stop the contamination from spreading any further.”

Dingell’s PFAS Action Act – passed by the House with bipartisan support in January – lists select PFAS chemicals – PFOA and PFOS – as hazardous substances within one year under the Superfund program to direct federal resources to clean up contaminated sites and limit their spread. It would also require EPA to make a determination on all remaining PFAS chemicals within five years. 

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