Senator Merkley Speaks Up for Chemical Safety — and Oregon Families
At an early March Senate hearing, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley asked the tough questions that get to the heart of serious concerns about proposed changes to the Toxic Substances Control Acts (TSCA). In recent discussions, Senator Merkley has emerged as a critical voice pushing back against industry-backed proposals that would weaken how the EPA reviews dangerous chemicals before they reach our homes, schools, and workplaces.
The Fox Guarding the Henhouse
One particularly troubling provision in the Senate draft would allow third-party reviewers (potentially hired by the chemical industry itself) to approve new chemicals. Senator Merkley didn’t mince words: “My concern is that those third parties might also not be entirely objective.” It’s the classic fox guarding the henhouse scenario: underfund the agency tasked with protecting public health, then claim the “solution” is to let industry monitor itself.
Merkley also raised alarms about loopholes in the draft that could allow untested chemicals to slip through based on similarities to other chemicals that were never properly reviewed in the first place. “If equivalency is given a bypass, because it’s equivalent to a chemical that was never in the first place reviewed, you basically have an open door to unreviewed chemicals,” he explained. He also pointed to the “low volume exemption” that has already allowed 600 PFAS chemicals – “forever chemicals” – to be approved, asking whether these proposed changes would “open the door to another PFAS-style disaster.”
Senator Merkley also submitted a New York Times article to the Congressional record that highlights just how precarious things have become at the EPA. The piece titled “She Fought for a Carcinogen. Now She’s at E.P.A., Approving New Chemicals,” underscores his concern that under current EPA leadership, “true science would not be honored when it came to protecting the public from harmful chemicals.” When the very agency meant to protect us is compromised, weakening TSCA becomes even more dangerous.
We’re grateful for Senator Merkley’s leadership on this critical issue. His willingness to challenge industry talking points and demand real protections represents Oregon’s longstanding fight for public health and a toxic-free future.
What Comes Next
As this fight continues in Washington, we’ll keep you updated on opportunities to make your voice heard. The chemical lobby may be powerful, but when Oregonians stand together with champions like Senator Merkley, we can defend the safeguards our families deserve.
Taking Action
This fight isn’t over, and your voice matters.
- Contact Congress to tell them how you feel about this developing threat.
- Sign up for our Action Alert emails. We’ll keep you informed about ways to make your voice heard when it counts.
- Become a member of OEC with your donation today. Your support powers our ability to show up and fight for the health protections Oregonians deserve.
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