Hudson Amendments Included in PFAS Action Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement on H.R. 2467, the PFAS Action Act of 2021, that passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, which Rep. Hudson supported, included two amendments he introduced to address the PFAS chemical GenX which has impacted the Cape Fear River.

"Combating GenX in our water has remained a top priority," said Rep. Hudson. "While there is still more we must do to combat PFAS, I am proud to have secured two amendments in the PFAS Action Act that will help our community and others address GenX and prevent it from further impacting families."

Included in the PFAS Action Act was an amendment introduced by Rep. Hudson to ensure local community water utilities impacted by contamination of GenX are eligible for grants to treat PFAS. A second included amendment directs the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate methods to prevent contamination by GenX of surface waters, including source waters used for drinking water purposes.

Background

Last month, Rep. Hudson introduced an amendment to prioritize funding for community water systems affected by GenX as part of the INVEST in America Act. Rep. Hudson's amendment, which would have also ensured GenX was specifically included in the infrastructure budget bill sections dealing with PFAS, was defeated on the House floor as part of a package of Republican amendments and not included in the final bill.

"I have fought to address GenX in our community since the chemical began impacting the Cape Fear River region," said Rep. Hudson at the time. "As part of that work, I introduced my amendment to make sure water systems like ours in Fayetteville have the resources needed to effectively combat GenX. I am disappointed this amendment was defeated, but will continue fighting for solutions to protect our community and environment."

In June, Rep. Hudson led a letter with Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) to EPA Administrator Michael Regan urging the EPA to do more to address GenX. Rep. Hudson joined Spectrum News to discuss the letter, as well as his amendment. You can watch that interview here.

In 2020, Rep. Hudson secured two amendments in an appropriations bill to provide an additional $2 million to study the relationship between PFAS exposure and the susceptibility to COVID-19 and provide funding for the EPA to develop national regulatory standards as part of the PFAS Action Act of 2020. Read more about those amendments here.

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