33 Republicans co-sponsoring updated chemical safety legislation

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which seeks to overhaul outdated toxic substance control laws, now has the backing of 33 Republican co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate.

“Now with 33 Republican cosponsors, the excitement for passing the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act is tangible,” Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) said. “Our country has lived under a broken chemical law for nearly four decades now, and this comprehensive, bipartisan reform bill will make necessary changes to provide Americans and our chemical industry with the certainty they deserve without stifling industry success.”

The latest show of support for the legislation to update the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 brings the overall tally of those in favor of the proposed bill to 56 lawmakers from 36 states.

“The legislation will require any federal decisions to be based on sound science and take into consideration regulatory costs as well as benefits,” U.S. Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, said. “Most importantly, this legislation will prevent one or two states, working only with the environmental community, from determining regulations that impact businesses and families across the entire nation. It instead promotes collaboration among all the states and the federal government, empowers governors to make recommendations on what substances are being reviewed, and gives states like Oklahoma a greater role going forward.”