House Proceeding on Sep 26th, 2007 :: 0:06:11 to 0:12:41
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0:00:09 to 0:06:11( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: George Miller

0:05:57 to 0:06:11( Edit History Discussion )

George Miller: his time. the gentleman from california. mr. mckeon: thank you, mr. speaker. i yield myself such time as i may consume. the chairman: the gentleman is recognized for such time as he may c onsume.

0:06:11 to 0:06:23( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: mr. mckeon: earlier this year the subcommittee on worker force protection held a hearing that explored among other things the question of whether and how the flavoring compound. diacetyl,

0:06:11 to 0:12:41( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard P. Buck McKeon

0:06:23 to 0:06:36( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: should be regulated by osha. we heard from an individual suffering from lung impairment that could well have been developed as a result of his manufacturing popcorn. during which he was exposed

0:06:36 to 0:06:48( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: to high concentrations of diacetyl and numerous other chemicals. there are many questions about this particular chemical. in fact, a number of large popcorn manufacturers recently announced voluntary

0:06:48 to 0:07:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: step to curb the use of diacetyl while its effects on worker health are studied. the bill before us calls for a much more drastic response to the concerns about this chemical. it would require

0:07:02 to 0:07:14( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: osha to set an interim final standard relating to diacetyl exposure within 90 days of passage. to be followed by a final rule within two years. this directive is without a doubt a well intended effort

0:07:14 to 0:07:26( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: to prevent illness that may be caused by this particular substance. unfortunately despite its good intentions, this bill has the potential to cause great harm. i recognize that my colleagues

0:07:26 to 0:07:40( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: on the other side of the aisle wish to do something to respond to the questions about this chemical. i also understand their frustration about a lack of action by the administration. candidly

0:07:40 to 0:07:49( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: i share some of that frustration. it is my understanding that just this week the administration announced plans to implement rule making for diacetyl exposure. this despite the fact that congress

0:07:49 to 0:08:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: has been looking into these concerns for months and until this week could not receive clear, unambiguous direction from the administration other than a letter written by the osha administrator

0:08:02 to 0:08:16( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: expressing seriouser concerns about the implications of the bill. from the outset of this process, i have been concerned about the lack of scientific data available to guide our actions. without

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Howard P. Buck McKeon: the necessary scientific understanding of this chemical, we cannot possibly develop the appropriate guidelines to protect workers. at this point we still do not even know whether diacetyl alone

0:08:29 to 0:08:42( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: or in conjunction with other chemicals is responsible for the condition known as popcorn lung. because of my concerns about a lack of scientific data and because i'm uneasy about short-circuiting

0:08:42 to 0:08:54( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: the proven regulatory process, i raise concerns about this bill when it was considered in committee. it's my position that the administration should be allowed adequate time to complete necessary

0:08:54 to 0:09:07( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: scientific investigation before developing new standards. i was at the outset and i remain concerned that such a rushed response to questns about this substance made for better politics than policy.

0:09:07 to 0:09:20( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: that is why i was so surprised and frankly disappointed to learn that only now has the administration suddenly chosen to take action. they announced on monday their intent to initiate rule

0:09:20 to 0:09:34( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: making, issue a safety and health and safety bulletin, and provide hazard communication guidance. the administration's aions in this case and their lack of communication with congress have done

0:09:34 to 0:09:46( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: nothing to shed light on this issue of concern to us all. instead, it has resulted in confusion about what is being done to address this issue and what they and we can expect to have answers.

0:09:46 to 0:09:58( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: in fact, if the administration had simply been forthright with congress about its plans, we might not be here considering this questionable legislation at all. during committee consideration,

0:09:58 to 0:10:10( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: republicans offered an alternative. our plan which we will offer as an amendment today strikes a balance between acting quickly to protect workers while relying upon sound science to establish

0:10:10 to 0:10:24( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: a comprehensive regulation. the republican plan would maintain the 90-day deadline for establishing an interim final rule. under this rule guidance would be provided so that manufacturers could

0:10:24 to 0:10:36( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: take immediate steps to limit exposure through the use of engineering improvements, ventilation, and other strategies to protect workers. our plan would also maintain the requirement that a final rule be

0:10:36 to 0:10:49( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: developed, including a permissible exposure limit. under our alternative this would be required within two years after the national institute for occupational safety and health concludes

0:10:49 to 0:11:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: that the standard can be supported by solid scientific evidence. in short, the amendment maintains the same time frame for an immediate protection while eliminating the arbitrary nature of the final

0:11:02 to 0:11:13( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: rule in favor of a timeline based on the availibility of scientific evidence. i want to reiterate my deep concern for the workers who have become ill. it is my goal and surely the goal of everyone

0:11:13 to 0:11:28( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: here to determine as soon as possible what caused their illness and what could be done to prevent future occurrences. mr. speaker, i oppose this bill in committee because i felt it did not allow

0:11:28 to 0:11:39( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: for adequate scientific study. i also believed it undermined the long-standing regulatory process. however i strongly support the effort to protect workers and i can understand why members

0:11:39 to 0:11:51( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: on both sides of the aisle would wish to vote in favor of this measure. as for me unless until we can clear up the confusion surrounding this bill, i will reluctantly oppose it. i continue

0:11:51 to 0:12:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: to believe this legislation undermines sound scientific and regulatory processes, but i will keep an open mind as this bill progresses through the legislative process. if further scientific

0:12:02 to 0:12:15( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: evidence is uncovered as this bill moves to the senate and the president, my position could change. i only wish the administration had acted sooner and we could have been spared this debate

0:12:15 to 0:12:28( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: entirely. with that i yield back the balance of my time. mr. speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. and i yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from something s. the ranking member

0:12:28 to 0:12:41( Edit History Discussion )

Howard P. Buck McKeon: on the subcommittee, and ask unanimous consent that he be allowed to control that time, mr. wilson. the chairman: the gentleman from south carolina will be recognized based on unanimous consent.

0:12:41 to 0:13:00( Edit History Discussion )

the gentleman from california. mr. miller: mr. speaker, i yield myself one minute. i certainly appreciate the situation my ranking member, mr. mckeon, from california finds himself in and i appreciate