00:00A gentlelady from Maine, Ms. Pingree, is recognized for an amendment.
00:10Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk, and I move to dispense with the reading.
00:14Without objection, the reading of the amendment is dispensed with.
00:17The gentlelady is recognized for remarks on her amendment.
00:21Thank you, Mr. Chair.
00:22So, this amendment addresses the issues related to PFAS chemicals, sometimes known as forever chemicals.
00:31These are chemicals in our environment that don't easily break down.
00:34They've been linked to health problems, cancer, kidney problems, high cholesterol, and their contamination is widespread.
00:41These are chemicals that were widely used, have continued to be used, and we find them in our drinking water, in our land, in a variety of places.
00:51Now, I'm particularly interested in this amendment in the contaminants that are in our land.
00:59And in Maine, we have seen a real prevalence of these PFAS chemicals in farmland in another land,
01:07primarily because they were in sewage sludge that was spread as fertilizer on the farms,
01:12particularly in the 70s and 80s, although in many states still spread today.
01:16So, unfortunately, when that sewage drug contains PFAS, it leads to the contamination of agricultural land,
01:24products grown on that land, and the water surrounding it.
01:27Our state is one of the leaders in testing for this.
01:29So, if it isn't present in your state, it will be known soon,
01:33because most states will eventually start trusting for this.
01:36And in many states, it was common practice to use the fertility and sewage sludge on farmland,
01:42and that's how it ended up there.
01:43But now we have these heartbreaking stories of farms that have been impacted.
01:48And let me just tell you about one.
01:49Songberg Farm in Unity, Maine, had to close in 2022 after they found high level of PFAS contamination in the soil.
01:57It was a wonderful farm that the family had built up over the years, growing vegetables and grain.
02:02But when they were tested, not only did they find out this was present in their soil that they had worked on for years,
02:09but the blood tests for Adam and Johanna and their five-year-old child confirmed that they also had extremely high levels of these chemicals.
02:18They're now undergoing treatment to reduce the high levels in their own blood.
02:23And Adam has been working to raise awareness about PFAS so that other people can understand that we don't want it in our land
02:30and that it's hard to remove and continue to work for ways to research how to remediate our soil when it has been contaminated.
02:39The EPA has been working on a draft risk assessment for PFAS in sewage sludge.
02:46This is all logical.
02:47There's general agreement that PFAS is a contaminant, and we don't want it in our sludge,
02:51and we certainly don't want it contaminating our soil.
02:55But the puzzling thing is that now the EPA has decided to stop their risk assessment of this contaminant in sewage sludge.
03:05Administrator Zeldin and I have discussed this when he was one of our colleagues here in Congress.
03:10He supported the idea of removing PFAS from our land.
03:14It's an issue in upstate New York, so as a legislator, he represented those concerns just the same as I do,
03:19and many other legislators have as well.
03:22So it's puzzling to me why this agency would now stop work on understanding why we have PFAS in the soil
03:31or what are reasonable levels that should be allowed in sewage sludge.
03:34So this risk assessment, as I said, is being blocked.
03:38We all know that it is better to prevent the contamination than try to clean it up afterwards.
03:43We don't really necessarily have good ideas or enough research to understand how to remove PFAS once it's present in our soil.
03:50And in my state, because there hasn't been sufficient funding allocated by the federal government,
03:57we already have a buyout fund that was supported by the state, and we have now purchased back our first farm.
04:04But that's a tragedy.
04:05We don't want to spend state or federal dollars buying back farms because people have lost their livelihood,
04:10lost their health, and lost their ability to sell vegetables or grain or whatever it is they're selling to their friends and neighbors
04:18or to run their dairy operation.
04:20So I'm sure if you spend a day listening to any of the farmers or family members who have been hit by one of these farms
04:27or lost one of their farms because of the spreading of sewage sludge,
04:31you too would wonder why is the EPA discontinuing the research?
04:36Why are they stopping this risk assessment?
04:38So this amendment does a simple thing.
04:40It basically takes the rider out that says they're going to block the risk assessment and puts this back on track.
04:49So I urge you to support this.
04:51I know if you haven't heard about this in your home state, you will hear about it soon.
04:55This is not, again, a partisan concern.
04:57This is something we would all worry about, and it's heartbreaking to see a farmer or a farm family lose their farm
05:02because of the contamination of these chemicals.
05:04So I urge passage of this, and I yield back the balance of my time.
05:09I thank Jim Ladey.
05:10The gentleman from Idaho, Mr. Simpson, is recognized to address the amendment.
05:15Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
05:16I agree with much of what Ms. Pingree said.
05:20However, I rise in opposition to this amendment.
05:22First, this draft risk assessment was finalized literally at the last minute.
05:27It was published in January 15, 2025, five days before Inauguration Day.
05:32Unfortunately, the previous administration rushed many rulemakings out the door at the last minute.
05:37This leads to concerns about serious flaws with the assessment.
05:40For example, the assessment does not include a risk management analysis, which is unprecedented,
05:47and fails to include recent research or practical real-life models of farms.
05:52This funding prohibition targets a very specific and flawed assessment related to PFAS.
05:57It does not upend the agency's work to protect the environmental and human health.
06:05In fact, Administrator Zeldin has announced several major actions the EPA is taking on PFAS.
06:11As it continues to be a priority with this administration,
06:15our Republican en blanc amendment adopted earlier modifies this section
06:20to allow EPA to finalize this risk assessment as they find appropriate
06:24so we ensure that this work can continue.
06:28So while I agree with much of what Ranking Member Pingree said,
06:33the reality is that this amendment is unnecessary and I think would harm us finalizing the rules.
06:40So I oppose the amendment and would urge my colleagues to oppose it.
06:44Thank you, gentlemen, gentlelady from Pennsylvania.
06:47Ms. Dean is recognized to address the amendment.
06:55And I thank the chairman and the ranking members.
07:00I rise in opposition to this amendment.
07:03Excuse me, I rise in support of this amendment, which would strike sections 507,
07:10which is, for those of you looking for it, it's almost the last page of the bill.
07:14This rider prohibiting EPA from working on the draft sewage sludge risk assessment,
07:20prohibit any kind of funding for that report, which that report showed the risks.
07:27As Ranking Member Pingree has said, PFAS contamination has likely already hit,
07:33impacted, and affected all of our districts.
07:37In my district, back in suburban Philadelphia, when I was in the statehouse,
07:41EPA testing revealed extremely high levels of PFAS in the water surrounding the former Willow Grove Naval Air Base,
07:50a base where my brother Harry in the Navy worked on airplanes.
07:55It is believed, and it is known, actually, that this is contamination due to the past use of firefighting foam,
08:03A-Triple-F.
08:05Ever since, I've been fighting for resources so that we can both remedy the contamination
08:09and better understand the many adverse health impacts connected to PFAS.
08:15We were even able to get a million-dollar health study for our area for the many neighbors
08:21and folks who had worked on the base to test their contamination levels,
08:27and sadly, the numbers came in very high.
08:31And I will say to you, just as recently as this week,
08:34I was talking with one of my district people who's been on this with me for the past 12 years,
08:39and the PFAS levels remain stubbornly high at different times
08:43from the water rolling off that blacktop at the now defunct base.
08:49The other thing I want to impress upon everybody is the chemical companies
08:53who produced the firefighting foam, the PFAS, PFOA-containing foam.
08:58They've known for decades.
09:00We just celebrated somebody's entrance into a 60th year.
09:04They've known for six decades the dangers.
09:07Happy birthday.
09:08That was awkward, but yeah.
09:11They've known for decades.
09:13I'm right there with you.
09:14I'm a little ahead of you.
09:15That the firefighting foam, the use of these forever chemicals
09:23that do not break down in the environment and do wind up in our blood,
09:29have such high risk to bad health outcomes.
09:34We have to address this.
09:36We know how to filter for it.
09:37Finally, EPA set a maximum contamination level.
09:41And this past year, we acted decisively to address it.
09:47It's taken years.
09:48And yes, it comes at an expense.
09:51But think of the longer-term cost to our communities due to the health-associated risks.
09:56We cannot afford this delay any longer.
09:58I urge my colleagues to support the amendment
10:01and restore the funding around PFAS studies.
10:08I'll go back.
10:08Thanks, gentlelady.
10:10And I would ask the gentleman from Alabama to quit rubbing in the fact that he's 60.
10:15You're losing a lot of friends up here at the dais.
10:21Are there other members wishing to address the amendment?
10:25Seeing none, the gentlelady is recognized for one minute to close.
10:28Again, I encourage my colleagues to support this for the sake of the farmers
10:36and those who are concerned about the contamination from PFAS.
10:40I want to clarify the way I was describing this.
10:43I am trying to remove a rider.
10:45The rider prohibits the EPA from continuing the risk assessment.
10:49So our goal is to make sure that the EPA continues this important risk assessment.
10:54My goal is to remove the rider that would stop them from continuing.
10:59So I urge my colleagues to support this brilliantly written and very thoughtful amendment.
11:04I thank the gentlelady.
11:11The question is now on the amendment offered by the gentlelady from Maine.
11:15All those in favor say aye.
11:17All those opposed say no.
11:19No.
11:20Opinion of the chair, the no's have it.
11:23Roll call has been requested.
11:25Deficient number of hands have been raised.
11:27Clerk will call the roll.
11:28Mr. Adderholt.
11:30No.
11:30Mr. Adderholt, no.
11:32Mr. Aguilar.
11:33Aye.
11:33Mr. Aguilar, aye.
11:35Mr. Alford.
11:36Mr. Alford, no.
11:37Mr. Amadei.
11:40Mrs. Bice.
11:41Mrs. Bice, no.
11:43Mr. Bishop.
11:44Mr. Bishop, aye.
11:46Mr. Calvert.
11:47No.
11:47Mr. Calvert, no.
11:49Mr. Carter.
11:51Mr. Case.
11:53Mr. Case, aye.
11:54Mr. Siskimani.
11:55Mr. Kline.
11:59No.
12:00Mr. Kline, no.
12:02Mr. Cloud.
12:03No.
12:03Mr. Cloud, no.
12:05Mr. Clyburn.
12:06Yes.
12:06Mr. Clyburn, aye.
12:08Mr. Clyde.
12:09Negative.
12:09Mr. Clyde, no.
12:11Mr. Cole.
12:11No.
12:12Mr. Cole, no.
12:13Mr. Cuellar.
12:16Mr. Cuellar, aye.
12:17Ms. Dean.
12:18Aye.
12:19Ms. Dean, aye.
12:20Ms. DeLauro.
12:22Aye.
12:22Ms. DeLauro, aye.
12:23Mr. Diaz-Balart.
12:24Mr. Edwards.
12:28No.
12:28Mr. Edwards, no.
12:30Mr. Elzey.
12:33Ms. Escobar.
12:34Ms. Escobar, aye.
12:36Mr. Espayat.
12:37Aye.
12:38Mr. Espayat, aye.
12:39Mr. Fleischman.
12:41No.
12:41Mr. Fleischman, no.
12:42Ms. Frankel.
12:43Aye.
12:44Ms. Frankel, aye.
12:46Mr. Franklin.
12:47No.
12:47Mr. Franklin, no.
12:49Mr. Gonzalez.
12:50Mr. Gonzalez, no.
12:52Mr. Guest.
12:53No.
12:53Mr. Guest, no.
12:55Mr. Harder.
12:56Aye.
12:56Mr. Harder, aye.
12:58Dr. Harris.
12:59Dr. Harris, no.
13:00Mrs. Henson.
13:02Mrs. Henson, no.
13:03Mr. Hoyer.
13:04Aye.
13:05Mr. Hoyer, aye.
13:06Mr. Ivy.
13:07Aye.
13:08Mr. Ivy, aye.
13:09Mr. Joyce.
13:10Aye.
13:11Mr. Joyce, no.
13:12Ms. Kaptor.
13:13Aye.
13:14Ms. Kaptor, aye.
13:15Mr. Lolota.
13:16Ms. Lee.
13:20Ms. Lee, aye.
13:22Ms. Letlow.
13:23Ms. Letlow, no.
13:25Mr. Levin.
13:25Aye.
13:26Mr. Levin, aye.
13:27Ms. Molloy.
13:31Ms. McCollum.
13:32Ms. McCollum, aye.
13:34Ms. Ming.
13:35Ms. Ming, aye.
13:37Mr. Molinar.
13:37No.
13:38Mr. Molinar, no.
13:40Mr. Moore.
13:40Mr. Moore.
13:46Mr. Morelli.
13:47Aye.
13:48Mr. Morelli, aye.
13:49Mr. Mervan.
13:50Aye.
13:51Mr. Mervan, aye.
13:52Mr. Newhouse.
13:53Mr. Newhouse, no.
13:55Ms. Perez.
13:57Ms. Perez, aye.
13:59Ms. Pingree.
14:00Aye.
14:00Ms. Pingree, aye.
14:01Mr. Pocan.
14:02Aye.
14:03Mr. Pocan, aye.
14:04Mr. Quigley.
14:05Mr. Quigley, aye.
14:07Mr. Reschenthaler.
14:08Mr. Reschenthaler, no.
14:10Mr. Rogers.
14:11Mr. Rogers, no.
14:12Mr. Rutherford.
14:14Mr. Rutherford, no.
14:15Mr. Simpson.
14:16No.
14:16Mr. Simpson, no.
14:18Mr. Strong.
14:19Mr. Strong, no.
14:21Mrs. Torres.
14:22Mrs. Torres, aye.
14:23Ms. Underwood.
14:25Aye.
14:25Ms. Underwood, aye.
14:26Mr. Valadeo.
14:29Ms. Wasserman Schultz.
14:31Ms. Wasserman Schultz, aye.
14:33Mrs. Watson Coleman.
14:34Mrs. Watson Coleman, aye.
14:36Mr. Womack.
14:37Mr. Womack, no.
14:38Mr. Zinke.
14:40Mr. Zinke, no.
14:42Are there any members wishing to record or change their vote?
14:46Gentleman from West Virginia.
14:49Mr. Moore, no.
14:51Gentleman from Florida.
14:52Mr. Diaz-Balart, no.
14:56Gentleman from Texas.
14:59Mr. Carter, no.
15:01The other gentleman from Texas.
15:03Mr. Elsie, no.
15:05We have other members wishing to change or record their vote.
15:17Seeing none, quotical tally.
15:26How's the gentleman from California recorded?
15:30He's not recorded.
15:31Mr. Valadeo, no.
15:53On this vote, the ayes are 28, the nos are 31, and the amendment is not adopted.
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