Gillen Proposes Clean Water Amendment to Stop Cancer-Causing PFAS Discharges in Local Water
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), a Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, proposed an amendment to the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act during a Committee markup. Rep. Gillen's amendment would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to certify that none of the bill’s proposals increase the discharge of cancer-causing pollutants, including PFAS, before they can be implemented.
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My amendment to the ANS would require that the EPA Administrator certify that none of these proposals result in an increase in the discharge of cancer-causing pollutants, including PFAS, before they can be implemented. As you know, PFAS contamination causes serious health problems, including links to cancer, liver damage, and immune system disorders. My constituents and Americans across the country, should not be subjected to these cancer-causing chemicals in their water supply every time they turn on a faucet in their home.
“I am honored to represent the South Shore of Long Island in New York’s Fourth Congressional District. Unfortunately, my district suffers from legacy water contamination, aging infrastructure, and unacceptable water quality issues that for too long have been neglected by the Federal government. This affects real people in my District like Mary Florence Purdie in the Village of Hempstead, who noticed that many of her friends and neighbors were developing different kinds of cancer, and came to the realization that the cause may be carcinogens in the water supply in Hempstead.
“The Village relies on a plant that’s more than a hundred years old – one of the oldest in the region. And last year, village officials found alarming levels of toxic, cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in the drinking water.
"When I met Ms. Purdie last summer, she showed me the hundreds upon hundreds of signatures on her petition to get clean water in Hempstead. I promised her that if I got to Congress, I would work tirelessly to make sure that every resident of Hempstead, and everyone across our country, has access to clean water.
“Mr. Chairman, this is a nonpartisan issue that impacts every American. My amendment, which is cosponsored by our colleague, Representative Pappas, will simply make sure that this legislative package will do no harm to our constituents, and ensure that we keep our water safe and healthy.
“Mr. Chairman, I encourage all of my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to
join me in safeguarding the health of our constituents and vote for this common-sense amendment. Thank you and I yield back.”
Rep. Gillen has been an advocate for clean water and public health, previously demanding accountability and swift action in response to the dangerously high levels of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals found in the Village of Hempstead’s drinking water.
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