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Posted on November 27, 2017

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is headed to Washington D.C. to continue vital meetings with key stakeholders and influencers in the ban asbestos legislative process. In addition to meeting with the U.S. Senate and House staffers to encourage cosponsorship for The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN) of 2017 (S. 2072), I’ll also be attending and speaking at a public meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Thanks to our community’s incredible policy and advocacy efforts, we already have more support for our ARBAN bill than ever before! ARBAN, introduced Nov. 2 by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), would allow for an asbestos ban to take effect in the U.S. within 18 months of passage. Currently, this common-sense ban bill has widespread support from environmental and public health organizations in the U.S. and abroad, as well as cosponsorship from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), and Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI). If you don’t see your state’s senators listed above as cosponsors, you have a chance to be part of these monumental changes! Take action NOW by calling your two senators today to share your story and let them know why it is so important to you that they sign on in support of this lifesaving bill. It’s easy — just dial the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to speak with your U.S. Senators (you’ll be making two separate calls to reach each of your Senator’s offices).

The ADAO Dream Team is ready!   We are partnering with the NRDC Action Fund again to maximize collaborative efforts.  One this trip, Melissa from Wisconsin and Maggie from Missouri will be sharing their stories and encouraging ARBAN cosponsorship and EPA funding.  In addition, we will be having a few Warriors join our meetings via the phone.  Special thanks in advance to AnnaMarie from Utah, Terrance from South Carolina, Missy from West Virginia, and others for stepping up and out to use their voice for change. 

During this trip, we will also have the opportunity to have this urgent conversation with high-level EPA employees in the Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) division, including Nancy Beck, OCSPP’s Deputy Assistant Administration. ADAO has been a key stakeholder in ban asbestos efforts since TSCA’s negotiation stages, as well as a platform for victims’ voices, and it is our job to ensure both Congress and the EPA hear from victims and are equipped with all the facts as they consider asbestos regulation options. 

These meetings come at a critical time, with EPA administrator Scott Pruitt scheduled to testify at a hearing before the House Environment subcommittee. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Environment Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL)  are calling for Pruitt to deliver agency updates and priorities in a testimony.

We’ve got greater momentum behind our push for a ban than ever before, and ADAO is committed to remaining a dedicated stakeholder throughout TSCA implementation process. We’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date and in-the-know, just make sure to keep checking back for the latest news and progress.

Together, we are making change happen.

Linda

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