OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

PFAS

Floor Speech

Date: Sept. 25, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense Environment

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, let me be frank. Today, our water and our health is at risk from highly fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS. These chemicals have been widely used commercially, and they are also concentrated in firefighting foams used by the Department of Defense. They are toxic, and they have been linked to serious health issues in those who are exposed to them.

High levels of PFAS contamination exist at the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda, MI, and at military sites all across our country.

My resolution would retain the Senate language prohibiting the Department of Defense from using firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals to the end of 2023.

PFAS-free foams are already widely used internationally by military services and at major hub airports, such as Heathrow and Dubai.

We must protect our troops, our firefighters, our communities, and our water.

I urge my colleagues to support my resolution.

I yield back all remaining time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward