TSCA chem reform bill hits Senate roadblock

HOUSTON (ICIS)–A bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling existing US chemical safety regulations continued to be held up in the Senate on Friday, following objections raised by Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul.

Addressing the Senate floor on Thursday, Paul raised concerns as to whether the bill had been subject to enough scrutiny, and said that he wanted more time to review it.

Titled “The Frank R Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act”, the bill seeks to overhaul the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a 40-year-old regulatory structure for ensuring the safety of chemicals in commerce.

In a rare show of consensus between Republicans and Democrats, the House of Representatives voted 403-12 in favour of the bill on Tuesday, following months of negotiations to reconcile two separate bills that passed each of the chambers last year.

Paul said he was particularly concerned about provisions in the bill that would give greater authority to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate chemicals, preventing individual states from implementing their own laws.

In addition, he voiced concern about stronger penalties for safety violations, which would involve “new crimes that will be created at the federal level”, Paul said.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) expressed disappointment at the delay.

“We are sincerely disappointed that Senator Paul has decided to stand in the way of efforts to provide greater certainty and clarity to industry while holding EPA to strict accountability and transparency requirements,” the ACC said in a statement.

“Senator Paul’s decision to block final passage of legislation to bring chemical regulation into the 21st century is putting the brakes on common-sense policy that will have far-reaching benefits for America’s economy and public health. We hope Senator Paul will quickly reconsider his position.” 

Lawmakers had originally hoped that the bill would pass a Senate vote this week, to arrive on President Barack Obama’s desk by Friday afternoon and signed into law before a scheduled break for the Memorial Day long weekend.

However, due to the delay, the bill is likely to be scheduled for a Senate vote in June.

(Photo: TSCA chem reform bill hits Senate roadblock. Source: Cultura/REX/Shutterstock)