The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Congressional Hearing on Plastic Pollution in Oceans
Record date · January 1, 2020
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
The House Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife held an on October 29, 2019, to examine the environmental impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and wildlife. The session featured testimony from environmental advocates, academic researchers, and industry representatives regarding the scale of the problem and potential policy responses.
This hearing served as a formal fact-finding session for federal lawmakers to evaluate the scope of plastic waste in marine environments, which informs future legislative efforts regarding environmental regulation and waste management standards.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Plastics Industry Association
The organization represents the interests of plastic manufacturers and processors who are subject to potential environmental regulations discussed in the hearing.
Environmental advocacy groups
These groups provide data and testimony to influence federal policy regarding plastic waste reduction.
Key Facts
- The hearing took place on October 29, 2019, in the Longworth House Office Building.
- The session was an oversight hearing focused on the impacts of plastic pollution on oceans and wildlife.
- Witnesses included representatives from Oceana, the University of Georgia, Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), and the Plastics Industry Association.
- The committee received written testimony and supplemental materials from the Ball Corporation, the Department of Energy and Environment, and academic researchers.
Show all 5 facts
- The hearing record includes official submissions regarding strategies to reduce the global carbon footprint of plastics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of this hearing?
Who testified at the hearing?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on Plastic Lifecycle
The inclusion of testimony from both environmental justice advocates and industry associations indicates a broad scope of inquiry into the entire lifecycle of plastic production and disposal.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools