PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2467, PFAS ACTION ACT OF 2021; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 2668, CONSUMER PROTECTION AND RECOVERY ACT; AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 3985...
Deborah K. Ross (Democrat, NC) \u2014 2021-7-20

on Monday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 535, providing for considering of three measures. First, H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act, under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment from Chairman Pallone, provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their designees, makes in order 10 amendments, provides en bloc authority, and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken The rule also provides for consideration of H.R. 2668, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, under a closed rule. The rule provides for 1 prgtoken hour of general debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce or their designees and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken The rule further provides for consideration of H.R. 3985, the ALLIES Act of 2021, under a closed rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment from Chairman Nadler, provides for 1 hour of general debate on the bill equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on the Judiciary or their designees, and provides one motion to recommit. prgtoken Finally, the rule provides the majority leader or his designee the ability to en bloc requested roll call votes on suspension bills considered on July 19 and July 20, 2021. This authority lasts through July 22. prgtoken , I rise today in support of the three bills in this rule: H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act of 2021; H.R. 2668, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act; and H.R. 3985, the ALLIES Act of 2021. prgtoken H.R. 2467 will require comprehensive regulation of PFAS under our Nation's landmark environmental laws. prgtoken PFAS compounds--dangerous, manmade chemicals which do not break down easily and are known as forever chemicals--have contaminated our water, soil, and air for decades. The CDC estimates that nearly every American has been exposed to them, especially our brave firefighters, servicemembers, and their families. prgtoken In my home State of North Carolina, we know this issue too well. Chemical companies have polluted the Cape Fear River with PFAS for years. Tests of drinking water systems in my district, including in Raleigh and Cary, have detected PFAS. prgtoken This bill would accomplish multiple goals, including directing the EPA to establish standards to protect our drinking water from contamination and authorizing grants to drinking water utilities treating PFAS contamination. prgtoken Some utilities are already investing millions of dollars to upgrade their water treatment technology. I was proud to offer a bipartisan amendment with Congressman Rouzer to clarify the requirements for this grant program, helping to ensure that communities that are already investing money to address this problem can still benefit from the funding