Congress Moves On Chemical Safety Reform

Abstract

Members of the U.S. Congress hope to send legislation that would modernize the federal law that controls commercial chemicals to President Barack Obama early this year. In an unanticipated vote, the Senate passed S. 697, which would reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), just hours before it adjourned for the holidays last month. Congress then quickly launched negotiations to resolve differences between that bill and a similar measure approved by the House of Representatives. The House cleared its slimmer version, H.R. 2576, in June. Lawmakers say they hope to have a new version of the legislation ready for a vote by both chambers early this year. But the process of getting S. 697 to the Senate floor was chock-full of obstacles, and a few bumps remain before the legislation is ready for the President’s signature. The Senate bill has widespread support from the chemical industry and some environmental and