Wexler Introduces Legislation Banning Dangerous Drywall
Sends Letter to Crist Urging State of Emergency Declaration on behalf of Affected Families

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) took actions to address the growing concern of South Florida families regarding Chinese drywall by introducing legislation in Congress establishing an immediate study and federal ban on dangerous drywall. In addition, Wexler wrote to Governor Charlie Crist urging him to declare a State of Emergency in Florida.  There are widespread reports of serious health risks to citizens including children and pregnant women, as well as safety and fire hazards caused by Chinese drywall present in residential home built by developers during in the past few years.  This is an acute and growing crisis with an estimated 35,000 homes in Florida affected, along with homes in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia.

“I have been contacted by parents whose young children have developed bronchitis, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses that have required hospitalization, and even surgery,” said Congressman Wexler. “Pregnant women have been instructed by their doctors to move out of their homes to avoid health risks to their unborn children.  We must act immediately to address this growing crisis.  Many of these South Florida families sunk their life-savings into the dream of owning a home and cannot afford to simply purchase a new one.  Passing this legislation and declaring Florida to be in a State of Emergency is the first step towards petitioning FEMA for financial assistance in repairing these homes and protecting the health and safety of these hardworking citizens.”

Congressman Wexler has introduced the Drywall Safety Act of 2009 ( http://wexler.house.gov/drywallbill.shtml ), which requires the Consumer Product and Safety Commission to examine Chinese drywall and make recommendations as to whether new safety standards are necessary to ensure drywall is safe for use in residential construction. The legislation also establishes an immediate ban on any drywall that constitutes a safety hazard. This bill will serve as the House companion to legislation recently introduced by Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

Congressman Wexler has also authored a letter to Florida Governor Charlie Crist urging him to take action on the drywall crisis. A copy of the letter is available for download here: http://wexler.house.gov/pdfs/drywallletter.pdf

Congressman Robert Wexler is Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. Recently, Congressman Wexler served as an advisor on Middle East issues to President Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.

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