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FEDERALhearing transcript
High Impact

Senate Hearing on the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (S. 4244)

Original title: A LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON S. 4244, LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT THE MANUFACTURE, PROCESSING, AND DISTRIBUTION IN COMMERCE OF ASBESTOS

January 1, 2022

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The Frame

What this does

The proposed legislation would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use and importation of asbestos, which would directly impact chemical manufacturers, water infrastructure operators, 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 bill would prohibit the manufacture and processing of asbestos, requiring changes to current chemical production practices.

Water Utility Providers

The bill impacts the use of asbestos-containing materials in water infrastructure and distribution systems.

Public Health Advocates

These groups are involved in the legislative process to address health risks associated with asbestos exposure.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2022.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a June 9, 2022, Senate subcommittee hearing regarding S. 4244, a bill that proposes to ban the manufacture, processing, and distribution of asbestos in the United States. The hearing included testimony from public health advocates, labor representatives, water utility managers, and chemical industry stakeholders.

Key Facts

  • S. 4244 aims to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit the manufacture, processing, and importation of asbestos.
  • The hearing was held on June 9, 2022, by the Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight.
  • Witnesses included representatives from the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the Copiah Water Association, and the American Chemistry Council.
  • The bill is named the 'Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act'.
  • The hearing record includes multiple letters of support or concern from organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Public Health Association.
  • The subcommittee received responses to additional questions from the American Chemistry Council and the Copiah Water Association following the hearing.

Why It Matters

The proposed legislation would amend the Toxic Substances Control Act to prohibit the use and importation of asbestos, which would directly impact chemical manufacturers, water infrastructure operators, and public health safety standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of S. 4244?
The bill seeks to ban the manufacture, processing, and distribution of asbestos in the United States.
Who testified at the hearing?
Witnesses included Linda Reinstein (Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization), Dr. Danny Whu (International Association of Fire Fighters), David Lee Boone (Copiah Water Association), and Robert J. Simon (American Chemistry Council).

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

Legislative push for total asbestos ban

The hearing highlights a concerted effort to move beyond current EPA regulations toward a statutory ban on all asbestos use.

Connected Entities

organizationInternational Association of Fire FightersLabor organization providing testimonyMap →
organizationCopiah Water AssociationUtility provider providing testimonyMap →
organizationAmerican Chemistry CouncilIndustry group providing testimonyMap →
personLinda ReinsteinPresident/CEO of Asbestos Disease Awareness OrganizationMap →
personJeff MerkleyChairman of the Subcommittee and bill authorMap →
personSuzanne BonamiciU.S. Representative and co-author of the billMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance85
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy60
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment10
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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