House Passes Defense Budget, Prioritizing Clean Water for Service Members and Their Families

Washington, DC-- Moments ago, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by 220 by 197 which includes strong initial efforts to address the contamination caused by the Department of Defense’s use of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-- harming the drinking water of millions of Americans. 

Democrats and Republicans joined to support the measures aimed at addressing PFAS contamination in communities--especially affecting members of the military and their families. The NDAA includes several, common-sense solutions to the country’s PFAS crisis including:

• Accelerating PFAS cleanup near military and other federal installations

• Setting limits on PFAS discharges into drinking water supplies

• Setting guidelines for incineration of PFAS wastes

• Ending the use of PFAS in fire fighting foam used by the military

• Providing uncontaminated water to farmers and dairies with military-contaminated water supplies

See the full House bill here. 

In response, Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club released the following statement: 

“Today, the House of Representatives passed critical safeguards to address our nation’s chemical contamination crisis-- an ongoing result of irresponsible practices by corporations and government agencies for decades. Millions of Americans are drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals and many communities are paying out-of-pocket to get clean water. This legislation holds the government accountable to clean up their mess, and aims to stop this widespread contamination crisis from happening again.

“This Congressional action was hard-fought by the people and communities who have been harmed by PFAS pollution. Their testimony and leadership created today's victory. We cannot let the Trump administration undo these common-sense safeguards against toxic chemicals in our drinking water. Congress must stay strong, defend people over special interests and pass this legislation.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, July 12, 2019

Contact: Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org 

House Passes Defense Budget, Prioritizing Clean Water for Service Members and Their Families

Washington, DC-- Moments ago, the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by 220 by 197 which includes strong initial efforts to address the contamination caused by the Department of Defense’s use of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-- harming the drinking water of millions of Americans. 

Democrats and Republicans joined to support the measures aimed at addressing PFAS contamination in communities--especially affecting members of the military and their families. The NDAA includes several, common-sense solutions to the country’s PFAS crisis including:

• Accelerating PFAS cleanup near military and other federal installations

• Setting limits on PFAS discharges into drinking water supplies

• Setting guidelines for incineration of PFAS wastes

• Ending the use of PFAS in fire fighting foam used by the military

• Providing uncontaminated water to farmers and dairies with military-contaminated water 

supplies

See the full House bill here. 

In response, Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club released the following statement: 

“Today, the House of Representatives passed critical safeguards to address our nation’s chemical contamination crisis-- an ongoing result of irresponsible practices by corporations and government agencies for decades. Millions of Americans are drinking water contaminated with PFAS chemicals and many communities are paying out-of-pocket to get clean water. This legislation holds the government accountable to clean up their mess, and aims to stop this widespread contamination crisis from happening again.

“This Congressional action was hard-fought by the people and communities who have been harmed by PFAS pollution. Their testimony and leadership created today's victory. We cannot let the Trump administration undo these common-sense safeguards against toxic chemicals in our drinking water. Congress must stay strong, defend people over special interests and pass this legislation.”