Rockland Reporter

Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) has introduced the PFAS-Free Procurement Act alongside a group of bipartisan representatives to address the issue of harmful PFAS substances in federal procurement. The legislation aims to prohibit federal agencies from purchasing items containing PFOS or PFOA and prioritize products without PFAS.

Lawler emphasized the importance of addressing PFAS contamination, stating, "Across the Hudson Valley, we’ve had to deal with PFAS contamination for a number of years and it’s still a pressing issue for many communities." He highlighted his efforts in securing funding for clean water projects and spearheading legislation to tackle PFAS exposure in various settings.

Congressman Lawler expressed confidence in the PFAS-Free Procurement Act, stating, "The PFAS-Free Procurement Act will go a long way to protecting our communities from PFAS chemicals by significantly curtailing the federal use of products containing such chemicals."

Congressman Bill Posey also voiced his support for the legislation, emphasizing the need to prevent further PFAS contamination and protect communities. He stated, "I am proud to work with Congressman Lawler and others to stop federal PFAS contamination once and for all."

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, underscored the importance of eliminating forever chemicals from federal facilities. He stated, "Items that contain harmful ‘forever chemicals’ have no place in federal offices or facilities."

The bipartisan nature of the legislation was highlighted by Congressman Chris Pappas, who stressed the need for comprehensive action to protect Americans from the health risks posed by PFAS chemicals. He stated, "This bipartisan legislation would require federal agencies to prioritize procuring PFAS-free products to protect federal employees and individuals."

Congresswoman Katie Porter echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the importance of expanding protections for individuals visiting federal facilities. She stated, "This bipartisan proposal would expand protections for people visiting federal facilities and limit the use of taxpayer dollars to purchase PFAS-contaminated products."

The significance of federal procurement policies in addressing PFAS contamination was highlighted by Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who stated, "The bipartisan, bicameral PFAS-free Procurement Act does just that, by extending the Department of Defense’s sensible prohibition on the procurement of PFAS products to most federal government acquisitions we’re making a bold step toward eliminating these harmful, forever chemicals from our lives."

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez emphasized the role of the government in leading by example in eliminating PFAS from communities. She stated, "It’s critical that we work to get these forever chemicals out of our communities’ water and soil and that we aren’t putting more into our environment."

The introduction of the PFAS-Free Procurement Act marks a significant step toward addressing PFAS contamination at the federal level and prioritizing the health and safety of communities across the country.