[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 179 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1755]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                   MICROBEAD-FREE WATERS ACT OF 2015

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 7, 2015

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong 
support of the Microbead-Free Waters Act.
  Microbeads, the small plastic particles contained in many face washes 
and other cleansing products, too often end up in America's lakes, 
rivers, and other water sources. In fact, a report last year from New 
York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman found that up to 19 tons of 
microbeads could find their way into my home state's wastewater stream 
each year. These particles accumulate pollutants, increasing toxicity 
of our waters, and pose a threat to fish and other wildlife that ingest 
plastic.
  I commend the many leading companies that voluntarily responded to 
these concerns by phasing out the use of plastic microbeads in their 
product lines, including L'Oreal, Unilever, and Avon.
  I am pleased Congress acted this week to act on this important issue, 
with bipartisan legislation that will ban microbeads in personal care 
products beginning in 2017.
  This legislation builds on the momentum from ten states that have 
passed legislation to ban microbeads--including nine just in 2015. 
Unlike some proposals that would put in place an unrealistic timeline 
for implementation, or phase in the restriction years later than H.R. 
1321, this federal legislation will grant all parties sufficient time 
to eliminate microbeads, while ensuring quick action on this growing 
concern. The Microbead-Free Waters Act will ensure consumers know that 
the products they use each day will not pollute our precious lakes and 
rivers.
  I urge the Senate to act quickly to pass this legislation, and 
congratulate Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Pallone for their hard 
work on this important bill.

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