Robert Wexler, Mario Diaz-Balart Urge Swift Action on Chinese Drywall
Send Letter to EPA, CDC

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Acting Director Dr. Richard Besser urging the agencies to act as quickly as possible in testing and determining the health and safety risks posed by Chinese drywall. Last month, Congressman Wexler took part in a multi-agency briefing that concluded these tests are necessary in order for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to act on this issue. In the letter, Wexler and Diaz-Balart emphasize the possibility that the effects of Chinese drywall could worsen with the summer heat and the need for swift action.  They also encourage the agencies to coordinate with the Florida Department of Health, which has already conducted some preliminary testing.

"The families living in homes with Chinese drywall are facing a real emergency, and it is crucial that the federal government handle this situation as such," said Congressman Wexler. "The sooner these tests are completed, the sooner we will know what the appropriate actions are available to respond to this crisis. This problem extends far beyond South Florida. It is a growing national problem that deserves a swift federal response."
“This is an important issue that affects not only the residents of Southern Florida but also thousands of homeowners nationwide.  It is critical that we address this problem as soon as possible to avoid devastating results in our communities and long-term effects on the health and wellbeing of our families,” said Congressman Diaz-Balart. 

Congressman Robert Wexler and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart have also sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee requesting that at least $2 million in emergency funding be provided to these federal agencies in order to ensure they have the resources to complete this crucial testing. Yesterday, the first federal legislation regarding Chinese drywall passed the House of Representatives when an amendment requiring the Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine the effect of Chinese drywall on foreclosures was included in the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act.

Watch video of Congressman Wexler speaking on the House floor about the need to act on Chinese drywall.

The letter to the EPA and the CDC is available for download here.

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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