Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 3662) to temporarily increase the cost share authority for aqueous film forming foam input-based testing equipment, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 3662, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3662, the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act, sponsored by Senator Peters from Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, every day millions of Americans are exposed to highly toxic fluorinated chemicals known as PFAS, through either their drinking water, home appliances, retail packaging, or countless other things they come into contact with each and every day.

These chemicals, known as ``forever chemicals'' due to their long- term persistence and inability to be easily broken down when released into the environment, have been linked with numerous human health risks, including increased risk of cancer, immune system impairment, and impaired child development. And that is just what we know. There is still plenty that we don't know about these hazardous materials and chemicals.

Unfortunately, these chemicals are also likely to be found in and around many of our Nation's airports. That is because airports have been required by law to use and discharge firefighting foam containing PFAS; not just during firefighting emergencies, but also to comply with mandatory FAA testing requirements for firefighting equipment. These discharges have tremendous health implications for the people who live and work around airports, as well as growing liability concerns for the airports themselves.

Fortunately, there has been significant progress on this front. For instance, just last month, the EPA proposed designating two of the most widely used PFAS chemicals as hazardous substances, which would create more public transparencies around the release of these chemicals. And the FAA is in the process of transitioning away from mandating the use of airport firefighting foam containing PFAS--though the agency still has to offer PFAS-free alternatives.

Furthermore, the FAA now allows for airports to sufficiently test their firefighting equipment without discharging PFAS outside of the vehicle. But while these efforts should be celebrated, more work must be done.

That is why I support this bill, which would raise the Federal cost share to 100 percent for airports that use Federal Airport Improvements Program funds to acquire input-based testing equipment, which enables airports to test firefighting equipment without emitting toxic PFAS substances. While airports are already allowed to procure this equipment, the cost of the equipment--which can be tens of thousands of dollars--can often be prohibitive.

Through this higher Federal cost share, S. 3662 would incentivize the broad adoption of this new technology to ensure airports are able to limit or prevent the spread of PFAS contamination into local communities.

In addition, the bill would require the FAA to provide Congress with options for reimbursing airports that use AIP funds to require input- based testing equipment under a lower Federal cost share standard or acquire this equipment without AIP funds.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, by making this small change to the Federal AIP, this bill would make it much easier to protect the health of our airport workers, first responders, and local communities, as well as bolster our Nation's ability to continue fighting these dangerous and insidious chemicals.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bipartisan legislation and I urge my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I was unable to cast votes on the following legislative measures. If I were present for roll call votes, I would have voted Aye for the following votes:

Roll 461, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 4900--SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

Roll 462, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8466--Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 463, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 3470--End Human Trafficking in Government Contracts Act of 2022.

Roll 464, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2551--AI Training Act.

Roll 465, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 958--Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act.

Roll 466, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 6965--Visit America Act, as amended.

Roll 467, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 7321--Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, as amended.

Roll 468, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, House Amendment to S. 3662--Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act.

Roll 469, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8888--Food Security for All Veterans Act.

Roll 470, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass S. 2794--Supporting Families of the Fallen Act.

Roll 471, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, As Amended, H.R. 8446--Global Food Security Reauthorization Act of 2022, as amended.

Roll 472, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass H.R. 8463--Millennium Challenge Corporation Eligibility Expansion Act.

Roll 473, September 29, 2022: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Certain Bills and Concur in the Senate Amendments on H.R. 8956, H.R. 6967, H.R. 8163, H.R. 4081, H.R. 6889, H.R. 1638, Senate Amendment to

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, ensuring the safety of the traveling public is of critical importance to this Committee. To ensure aviation safety, the Federal Aviation Administration regulates airport firefighting standards and requires airports to regularly test firefighting equipment.

Currently, the fire suppressant foam required to be used at airports contains PFAS. While FAA is working closely with the Department of Defense to come up with an alternative that is just as effective at suppressing jet fuel fires, there is still work to be done before that alternative is made available.

Given that, this bill ensures that airports are able to acquire equipment to test firefighting vehicles, in compliance with FAA regulations, without discharging PFAS-laden foam.

Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill passed the Senate unanimously, and I urge support. This legislation is a good piece of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, S. 3662 is a minor adjustment of an AIP cost share to remove any barriers an airport might have for acquiring firefighting testing equipment.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the bill and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 462, S. 3662.

I further ask unanimous consent that the committee- reported substitute be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.

Madam President, I ask that the Chair lay before the Senate the message to accompany S. 3662.

I move to concur in the House amendment and ask unanimous consent that the motion be agreed to and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.