Press Releases
Dingell Votes Against NDAACites Lack of Urgency on PFAS Drinking Water Standard & Cleanup
Washington,
July 21, 2020
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI) issued the following statement on why she opposed the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) because among other issues it fails to include House-passed provisions by Dingell to address PFAS contamination: “PFAS is a clear and present threat to Michigan and clean water. PFAS contamination is poisoning servicemembers, their families and communities around military bases across the country. The House passed strong, bipartisan legislation months ago that sets a national safe drinking water standard and cleans up hazardous substances. I applaud my colleagues for getting PFAS provisions included, but without a safe drinking standard and CERCLA designations I must keep fighting. “We know the harm PFAS can cause in the human body—it bioaccumulates and doesn’t breakdown. Scientific studies confirm PFAS is linked to liver disease, thyroid dysfunction and several forms of cancer. Members of the military and their families are being poisoned at military installations and bases that we know have been contaminated with PFAS. Protecting men, women, and families of our armed services is deeply important and we cannot leave them behind. Addressing PFAS must be a part of our defense and national security policies. “It’s been years, we need a nationwide safe drinking standard and to list PFAS as the hazardous chemicals we know they are to jump start clean-up. This is a fight I will not back down from. The time is now and I will continue exploring every possible legislative vehicle to get it done. “I always support our nation’s military and the men and women who serve. It’s for them that I feel passionately and why NDAA in its current form has not earned my vote.” ###
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