White House backs bill to overhaul chemical regulation

[...] changes made by Democrats in recent days ensure the measure will protect families and communities from toxic substances, Pelosi said in a statement with House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Rep. Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The proposal will require the Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate new and existing chemicals against a new risk-based safety standard that includes considerations for vulnerable people such as children and pregnant women, the White House said.

The bill also establishes clear and enforceable deadlines for the EPA to act; increases transparency of chemical information by limiting unwarranted claims of confidentiality by chemical companies; and provides funding for the EPA to carry out "these significant new responsibilities," the White House said.

While the legislation allows Vermont and other states to continue enforcing existing state regulations to keep adults and children safe from toxic chemicals, "it makes it more difficult for states to set new, stricter standards," Sanders said.