ASC lauds House for passage of TSCA reform legislation.

Press Release Summary:



According to ASC President Matthew E. Croson, House of Representatives’ passage of the bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act legislation marks the most significant achievement toward chemical regulatory reform since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1990. The House approved H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015, by a vote of 398 in favor and 1 dissenting. With passage of H.R. 2576, attention shifts to Senate to vote on its version of TSCA reform.



Original Press Release:



ASC Lauds House for Passage of Landmark TSCA Reform Legislation



Continues to Urge Speaker McConnell to Bring Bill to Floor for Vote



Bethesda, MD – The House of Representatives’ passage of the bipartisan Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) legislation marks the most significant achievement toward chemical regulatory reform since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1990, according to Adhesive and Sealant Council President Matthew E. Croson.  The House approved H.R. 2576, the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015, by a vote of 398 in favor and 1 dissenting on Tuesday.



“ASC, the American Chemistry Council and a few other associations started actively advocating in 2008 for the need for TSCA reform,” said Croson.  “Over time, understanding has grown that the current system is not working and with that increased understanding support across the chemicals value chain–businesses both large and small— have joined in bringing the message to Washington.  Those extended efforts were fruitful this week with an overwhelming legislative victory that was pretty close to unanimous.”



He noted that what began seven years ago as a small, loosely-knit group of associations interested in finding a way to fix TSCA has developed into the current American Alliance for Innovation (AAI), a coalition of 185 trade associations, which has taken a leadership role in promoting a bipartisan approach to making the national chemical regulatory program more effective.



Croson also praised the leadership of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman—Fred Upton—Ranking Member—Frank Pallone—and Congressman—John Shimkus—whose work over the last 18 months demonstrates what success can look like when Democrats and Republicans work together to solve an economic problem hindering U.S. economic growth.  



With passage of H.R. 2576, attention shifts to the Senate which has yet to schedule a vote on its version of TSCA reform.  The “Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act” (S. 697) was passed in a strong bipartisan vote by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on April 28th.



“ASC and it members are continuing to contact Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and others in the Republican leadership to emphasize the need for scheduling a vote on S.697 before the August recess,” said Mark Collatz, ASC’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.  “Delaying the vote on TSCA reform until the fall runs the danger of it getting put on the back-burner by more partisan issues that can crop up as Congress moves towards an election year.  We have the momentum now and it would be a shame to lose it.”



The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) is a North American trade association dedicated to representing the $40 billion global adhesive and sealant industry.  The Council is comprised of 131 adhesive and sealant manufacturers, raw material and equipment suppliers, representing 75% of the U.S. industry.  “Innovators secure the future with adhesives and sealants” is the vision of ASC, and the Council produces programs that support five strategic objectives covering Career Education, Community Knowledge Integration, Innovation, Unified Industry Voice and Accelerate Growth. Information on ASC can be found at www.ascouncil.org.   Industry solutions and news can be found at www.adhesives.org or www.sealants.org. 

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