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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Congressional Hearing on the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act

Original title: BAN ASBESTOS NOW: TAKING ACTION TO SAVE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS

January 1, 2021

asbestospublic healthenvironmental regulationlabor safetychemical safety

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing concerns proposed federal legislation that would prohibit the future use and importation of asbestos, directly impacting chemical manufacturers, construction industries, and public health safety standards.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Chemical Manufacturers

The proposed legislation would prohibit the use of asbestos in their manufacturing processes.

Labor Unions

The legislation concerns workplace safety standards and potential exposure risks for industrial workers.

Environmental Protection Agency

The agency is responsible for implementing and enforcing chemical safety regulations, including those related to asbestos.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2021.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2019 House hearing regarding H.R. 1603, a bill proposed to ban the use and importation of asbestos in the United States. The hearing featured testimony from EPA officials, labor representatives, and industry experts regarding the health risks of asbestos and the potential economic impact of a total ban.

Key Facts

  • The hearing was held on May 8, 2019, by the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change.
  • The primary subject of the hearing was H.R. 1603, the 'Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019'.
  • The bill aims to prohibit the importation and use of asbestos in the United States.
  • Witnesses included representatives from the EPA, the American Chemistry Council, the AFL-CIO, and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization.
  • The hearing included the submission of internal EPA memos and New York Times articles regarding agency rule-making processes for asbestos.
  • The subcommittee reviewed testimony regarding the health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
  • The subcommittee reviewed testimony regarding the regulatory and technical challenges of a total asbestos ban for the chemical industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of H.R. 1603?
The bill, titled the 'Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2019', seeks to ban the importation and use of asbestos in the United States.
Who testified at this hearing?
Witnesses included officials from the EPA, representatives from labor unions (AFL-CIO), industry groups (American Chemistry Council), and health advocacy organizations.

Why It Matters

The hearing concerns proposed federal legislation that would prohibit the future use and importation of asbestos, directly impacting chemical manufacturers, construction industries, and public health safety standards.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Sponsors

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

EPA Rule-making Scrutiny

The hearing included evidence of internal EPA staff objections to the agency's own asbestos rule-making process, suggesting internal disagreement on regulatory stringency.

Environmental Protection Agency

Connected Entities

personAlexandra D. Dunn“Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention”Map →
organizationAsbestos Disease Awareness Organization“Advocacy group focused on asbestos-related health issues”Map →
organizationEnvironmental Protection Agency“Federal agency responsible for chemical safety regulation”Map →
personPaul Tonko“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change”Map →
personJohn Shimkus“Ranking Member of the Subcommittee”Map →
organizationAmerican Chemistry Council“Industry trade association representing chemical companies”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance80
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy65
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment20
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz15
    Current news / social attention level

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