ENERGY AND COMMERCE ADVANCES TWO MATSUI BILLS TARGETING TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AND LIFE-SAVING PATIENT CARE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce overwhelmingly passed Congresswoman Doris Matsui's (D-CA-07) Motor Vehicle Flammability Standards Study Act and Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act. Together, the bills advance a simple promise that families deserve stronger health and safety protections in their daily lives, from reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in the cars they drive to improving access to lifesaving treatments when illness strikes.

"Sacramento families deserve to know that the cars they drive, the products they use and the healthcare systems they rely on are built around their safety and well-being," said Congresswoman Matsui. "These bipartisan bills are about meeting people where they are, whether that means protecting families from unnecessary toxic chemical exposure in their vehicles or helping patients find a lifesaving stem cell match when they need it most. I'm proud to work with the Committee to pass these bills and bring us one step closer to ensuring better, safer standards, stronger patient access, and real peace of mind for families in Sacramento and across the country."

Motor Vehicle Flammability Standards Study Act

Families should be able to trust that the cars they drive are safe without being exposed to unnecessary toxic chemicals in the process. TheMotor Vehicle Flammability Standards Study Act would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a study that identifies potential safety risks from hazardous chemicals used as flame retardants in the interior of motor vehicles. The study will help update federal motor vehicle safety standards to protect Americans from vehicle fires while also preventing exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Congresswoman Matsui previously led the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act (SOFFA) to modernize household furniture fire safety standards and remove harmful flame retardants that offered little proven safety benefit.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act

For patients facing blood cancers, sickle cell disease and other life-threatening conditions, finding a stem cell match can mean the difference between life and death. The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the national bone marrow and cord blood programs that help connect patients with lifesaving donors, support transplant research and expand access to treatment. The legislation authorizes the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program for five years at $33 million annually and the National Cord Blood Inventory at $23 million annually for five years.

First passed in 2005, the original legislation established a nationwide integrated bone marrow and cord blood stem cell transplantation program. Stem cells derived from cord blood and bone marrow have been successfully used to treat tens of thousands of patients.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.