[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H7092-H7095]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FEDERAL PFAS RESEARCH EVALUATION ACT

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7289) to provide for the National Academies to study and 
report on a Federal research agenda to advance the understanding of 
PFAS, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 7289

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Federal PFAS Research 
     Evaluation Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 
     are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used in a 
     wide range of products since the 1940s including firefighting 
     foam, carpeting, packaging, and cookware. There are more than 
     5,000 types of registered PFAS compounds. This chemical class 
     is not currently regulated at the Federal level.
       (2) PFAS have been detected in air, water, soil, food, 
     biosolids, and more. They can accumulate and remain in the 
     body for a long time, and potentially lead to serious health 
     effects including cancer, low infant birthweight, liver and 
     kidney issues, reproductive and developmental problems, and 
     more.
       (3) There remains much unknown about PFAS toxicity, human 
     and environmental health effects, exposure pathways, as well 
     as effective removal, treatment, and destruction methods, and 
     safe alternatives to PFAS.
       (4) Federal research efforts have been fragmented at 
     various agencies and struggled to

[[Page H7093]]

     effectively address the full scope of challenges presented by 
     PFAS.
       (5) Regulatory action and cleanup depend on scientific 
     analysis of toxicity data, decision making on how best to 
     deal with PFAS, and understanding the significance of the 
     many exposure pathways that exist. A consensus study by the 
     National Academies would help inform decisions by Federal and 
     State Governments, industry, and other stakeholders on how to 
     best address PFAS.

     SEC. 3. NATIONAL ACADEMIES REPORTS.

       (a) Research Assessments of PFAS.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
     which amounts are appropriated for fiscal year 2023 to carry 
     out this section, the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency, in consultation with the Director of the 
     National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Defense, the 
     Director of the National Institutes of Health, and other 
     Federal agencies with expertise relevant to understanding 
     PFAS exposure, behavior, and toxicity, shall enter into an 
     agreement with the National Academies to conduct a study and 
     submit a report in accordance with this subsection to further 
     address research and knowledge gaps identified by the Federal 
     Government Human Health PFAS Research Workshop held on 
     October 26 and 27, 2020, and identify research and 
     development needed to identify, categorize, evaluate, and 
     address individual or total PFAS.
       (2) Study and report on human exposure estimation.--
       (A) In general.--The study required to be conducted under 
     paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum--
       (i) consider life-cycle information on the manufacture, 
     use, and disposal of PFAS-containing products to identify 
     potential human exposure sources, including occupational 
     exposures, and potential exposure pathways for the public;
       (ii) evaluate the fate and transport of PFAS and their 
     breakdown products;
       (iii) if feasible, estimate human exposure to individual or 
     total PFAS to determine relative source contributions for 
     various exposure pathways (such as air, water, soil, or 
     food);
       (iv) determine the range of solubility, stability, and 
     volatility of PFAS most likely to be found in the environment 
     and the resulting prevalence in animals and humans;
       (v) give consideration as to whether chemical category-
     based approaches would be appropriate for evaluating PFAS 
     toxicity and exposure;
       (vi) identify research needed to advance exposure 
     estimation to individual or total PFAS; and
       (vii) identify research needed to advance toxicity and 
     hazard assessment of individual or total PFAS.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date on 
     which the agreement described in paragraph (1) is finalized, 
     the National Academies shall submit to Congress a report 
     containing the findings and recommendations of the study 
     described in subparagraph (A) and shall make such report 
     available on a publicly accessible website.
       (b) Research Assessment of Management and Treatment 
     Alternatives for PFAS Contamination in the Environment.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date on 
     which amounts are appropriated for fiscal year 2023 to carry 
     out this section, the Administrator of the Environmental 
     Protection Agency and the Director of the National Science 
     Foundation, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and 
     other Federal agencies with expertise relevant to the 
     development of PFAS alternatives and the management and 
     treatment of PFAS, shall jointly enter into an agreement with 
     the National Academies to conduct a study and submit a report 
     in accordance with this subsection to better understand the 
     research and development needed to advance the understanding 
     of the extent and implications of human and environmental 
     contamination by PFAS, how to manage and treat such 
     contamination, and the development of safe alternatives.
       (2) Scope of study.--The study described in paragraph (1) 
     shall, at a minimum, include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the best available strategies for PFAS 
     treatment, site remediation, and safe disposal, including 
     demonstration or pilot projects related to destruction 
     methods and alternative materials or tools for firefighters.
       (B) A description of the research gaps relating to such 
     issues, including consideration of emerging or future PFAS 
     and potential classification methods.
       (C) Recommendations on how the Federal Government can best 
     address the research needs identified pursuant to 
     subparagraph (B) through increased collaboration or 
     coordination of existing and new programs.
       (D) Recommendations on how research can best incorporate 
     considerations of socioeconomic issues into the development 
     of research proposals and the conduct of research.
       (3) Report.--Not later than 540 days after the date on 
     which the agreement described in paragraph (1) is finalized, 
     the National Academies shall submit to Congress a report 
     containing the findings and recommendations of the study 
     described in paragraph (2) and shall make such report 
     available on a publicly accessible website.
       (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated for fiscal year 2023 $3,000,000 to the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to carry 
     out this section.

     SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

       Not later than 180 days after submission to Congress of 
     latest of the National Academies reports under section 3, the 
     Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in 
     coordination with all relevant Federal agencies, shall submit 
     to Congress an implementation plan for increased 
     collaboration and coordination of Federal PFAS research, 
     development, and demonstration activities. In preparing such 
     an implementation plan, the Director shall take into 
     consideration the recommendations included in the reports in 
     section 3.

     SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) National academies.--The term ``National Academies'' 
     means the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
     Medicine.
       (2) PFAS.--The term ``PFAS'' means per- and polyfluoroalkyl 
     substances, including mixtures of such substances.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on H.R. 7289, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oklahoma?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS 
Research Evaluation Act.
  PFAS are a class of substances that are commonly referred to as 
forever chemicals because of their persistence throughout the 
environment. These chemicals are found within countless household items 
such as cooking appliances, weatherproof clothing, and even food 
packaging.
  While this heat-, water-, and oil-resistant chemical was created over 
80 years ago to solve problems, it has become increasingly clear it has 
created more problems than it solved.
  Traces of PFAS can also be found within the human body, animals, 
drinking water, fish, and soil. In fact, a recent report by the CDC 
found PFAS was in the blood of 97 percent of Americans.
  Despite the shocking finding on the prevalence of PFAS in the human 
body, there is little data that examines the long-term health and 
environmental implications of these artificial chemicals. There are 
also many research gaps in our understanding of these substances 
overall.
  H.R. 7289 would help address these gaps by authorizing the 
Environmental Protection Agency to enter into agreements with the 
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study the 
impact of PFAS on human and environmental health through a series of 
reports. These reports would touch on outstanding questions such as 
human exposure pathways to PFAS. They would also help to identify 
critical research gaps related to managing PFAS and examining safe 
chemical alternatives.
  Finally, these studies would inform an Office of Science and 
Technology Policy implementation plan for Federal research, 
development, and demonstration activities for PFAS.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues on the Science Committee, 
Representatives Lizzie Fletcher and Peter Meijer, for introducing this 
commonsense and bipartisan legislation, and I encourage my colleagues 
to support its passage.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS 
Research Evaluation Act.
  PFAS is an acronym for a large range of manufactured chemicals that 
are exceptionally strong and durable and have the ability to withstand 
high temperatures. These characteristics make them incredibly valuable 
in countless products, from cell phones to wind turbine components to 
military aircraft to everything in between.
  The high strength and durability of PFAS also mean they don't break 
down easily in the environment. But their essential use in industry and 
consumer

[[Page H7094]]

products is exactly why it is important we remember not to villainize 
the entire category of chemicals.
  The hazard and risk profiles of various PFAS are immensely different. 
Using certain PFAS in a controlled, responsible manner is safe and 
effective. Understanding the distinct properties of each of these 
chemicals will allow us to continue the important uses and benefits of 
PFAS technologies.
  That is why I rise in support of H.R. 7289. This bill seeks to 
increase our understanding of PFAS by directing the Environmental 
Protection Agency to work with the National Academies to conduct two 
studies.
  The first study is to better understand human exposure, behavior, and 
toxicity of PFAS. It will allow us to better address research and 
knowledge gaps that were identified by the National Academies in 2020.
  The second study is focused on understanding the extent and 
implications of PFAS contamination, as well as research needed to 
manage and treat contamination and develop safe alternatives.

                              {time}  1500

  Together, these studies will help us better address PFAS using the 
best available science.
  At the end of the day, removing harmful PFAS from production and 
cleaning up legacy contaminations to protect human health is a 
bipartisan issue. But we need to understand the full extent of what we 
are seeking to remove, how to best do it, and the potential 
implications, if executed.
  I thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Meijer), my colleague on the 
Science, Space and Technology Committee, for leading this bill, and 
being an informed, smart advocate on this issue.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time to 
speak on this bill, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Meijer).
  Mr. MEIJER. Madam Speaker, I thank our ranking member, Mr. Lucas, for 
yielding me time and for his continued leadership on the Science, Space 
and Technology Committee.
  Madam Speaker, H.R. 7289, the Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, 
is a bipartisan bill that offers both reasonable and pragmatic action 
on PFAS. I was proud to introduce it with the gentlewoman from Texas 
(Mrs. Fletcher), my colleague and friend.
  PFAS chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, 
can be found in nonstick pans, firefighting foam, food packaging, 
medical devices, and many other everyday products.
  There are hundreds of PFAS compounds, and the makeup of these forever 
chemicals makes them difficult to break down in nature. But given the 
sheer number of compounds and the complexity of each, there is much we 
still do not know about the chemicals, including where they might have 
been used.
  In my home State of Michigan, it is estimated there could be as many 
as 11,300 potential sites where PFAS may have been used.
  The response to PFAS requires a balanced approach, and I do not 
believe we should have to pick between encouraging economic growth or 
protecting human health and the environment.
  We need to ensure that any potential regulation is based on strong 
and science-based evidence, and that is where H.R. 7289 will play a 
critical role. With this bill, we will learn more about both the human 
health and environmental effects of PFAS. The bill includes the health 
effects related to exposure and toxicity of PFAS, as well as the 
effects of PFAS on the environment, including the extent of PFAS 
contamination, treatment, but also alternatives.
  The studies that the bill authorizes will be conducted by our leading 
National Academies, widely regarded as the most prestigious and 
accurate institutions for objective scientific evidence.
  Once completed, these studies will provide us with a clearer picture 
of Federal research related to PFAS, and we will be able to better 
understand both the extent of problems and where the Federal research 
enterprise can best assist in seeking solutions. With such information, 
we can take meaningful steps toward eliminating PFAS contamination 
because we will know exactly how and where it exists in our world 
today.
  The first step toward solving any problem is understanding exactly 
what you are facing. H.R. 7289 offers this commonsense solution to 
support PFAS research, our understanding of contamination, and how the 
chemicals behave.
  Again, I thank my colleague on the Science, Space and Technology 
Committee, Representative Lizzie Fletcher, for introducing this 
legislation and working with me to amend it in a bipartisan manner 
before coming to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important piece 
of legislation.
  Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume 
to close.
  In December of last year, the Science, Space and Technology Committee 
held a hearing on research and development relating to PFAS. I was 
impressed to hear just how far along the companies are when it comes to 
technologies that can safely and effectively destroy PFAS in the 
environment.
  I mention that because it is part of why I am optimistic about our 
ability to improve our environmental stewardship. When it comes to 
protecting human health and the environment, we are making tremendous 
progress through technology. There are very few problems, if any, that 
innovation cannot address. We can spur that innovation by arming 
ourselves with the best possible information, data, and scientific 
knowledge.
  H.R. 7289 does exactly that for PFAS. It doesn't label all PFAS as 
deadly, and it doesn't ban using it. It simply identifies areas of 
research that will help us address PFAS using the best available 
science.
  I thank Representative Lizzie Fletcher for introducing this 
legislation and working in a bipartisan manner to advance it, and I 
also thank Science, Space and Technology Committee members, 
Representatives Meijer and Posey, for cosponsoring this bill.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Madam Speaker, I, too, urge my colleagues to support H.R. 
7289, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7289, 
the Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, as amended. This bill, 
introduced by Representatives Lizzie Fletcher and Peter Meijer, is 
another example of strong bipartisanship from Science Committee members 
on a critical issue facing our Nation.
  Manufactured carbon and fluorine-based chemicals, known as PFAS, are 
pervasive throughout the environment due to their inability to be 
broken down. Traces of PFAS can be found in everyday household items, 
clothing, and even in our drinking water. They have also increasingly 
been found to have negative impacts on public and environmental health. 
Our low-income communities, and communities of color, are at risk for 
high levels of exposure to PFAS due to these communities being 
disproportionately located near chemical plants containing PFAS. This 
can lead to higher instances of morbidity and mortality for these 
communities as well.
  To effectively reduce the presence of PFAS in our environment, we 
must be guided by strong science. The Federal PFAS Research Evaluation 
Act would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into 
agreements with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and 
Medicine to publish studies that identify major research gaps 
associated with our understanding of PFAS. These studies would also 
inform the Office of Science and Technology Policy's work to develop a 
comprehensive federal research effort for PFAS.
  Families across the Nation depend on the Federal government to ensure 
their safety when it comes to PFAS contamination in drinking water and 
consumer goods. The findings of the studies authorized in this bill 
will help support ongoing Federal efforts to protect our communities 
from the dangers of PFAS. I urge my colleagues to support this 
critical, bipartisan, bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) that the House suspend the

[[Page H7095]]

rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7289, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. TIFFANY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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