Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC-- This morning, the Trump Administration issued a veto threat for the House of Representatives National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (NDAA), citing two provisions that would improve safeguards against contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our communities. The first phases out the use of PFAS firefighting foams by the military, and the other authorizes the Department of Defense (DoD) to treat or replace water for farmers when contaminated with these chemicals.
In response, Sonya Lunder, Senior Toxics Advisor at the Sierra Club, released the following statement:
“Congress is taking meaningful action to hold polluting companies and agencies accountable for their toxic PFAS pollution, but the Trump administration is stopping progress in its tracks. It is offensively obvious that this administration’s interests lie solely with corporate interests and profit at the expense of the American people’s health and safety.
“We know PFAS chemicals are toxic and they endanger our health in the short and long-term. The ongoing use of PFAS foams by the military threatens servicemembers and their families, many who drank contaminated water for decades. We need accountability from the highest level-- steps to prevent toxic pollution in the first place and laws to hold polluters accountable-- not a President who denies the science and neglects our families’ wellbeing.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.