House votes to label drywall in response to contaminated products from China

The House late Wednesday approved a bill that would require all drywall used in the United States to bear a label noting the name of the manufacturer.

Members approved H.R. 4212, the Contaminated Drywall Safety Act, by voice vote. The bill would require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue a rule requiring drywall labeling. It would also require the CPSC to issue a rule that puts a limit on the amount of sulphur that can be in drywall and still be considered safe.

The U.S. has been coping with the effects of contaminated drywall for years — several people have reported health problems related to the emission of sulphur and other chemicals, and have had to rebuild sections of their homes built with the imported product.

The House considered several other bills on Wednesday night. Members considered H.R. 5987, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act, but Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) called for a recorded vote on this bill, after arguing that the U.S. should not be celebrating the invention of atomic weapons that killed thousands.

Members were able to pass several other bills by voice vote, including:

• H.R. 6361, the Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act,

• H.R. 6431, to provide flexibility with respect to U.S. support for assistance provided by international financial institutions for Burma,

• H.R. 2827, to amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to clarify provisions relating to the regulation of municipal advisers,

• H.R. 5910, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act,

• H.R. 6433, making corrections to FDA user fees,

• H.R. 6163, the National Pediatric Research Network Act,

• H.R. 6118, the Taking Essential Steps for Testing Act,

• H.R. 4124, the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act, and

• H.R. 733, the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act.

---