Monday, June 3, 2013

Senator Frank Lautenberg has died

Long-time advocate of safer chemicals, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), has died at the age of 89.

Read more here.

And here.

Lautenberg has repeatedly pushed for modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). He recently co-sponsored a bill with Senator David Vitter (R-LA) only weeks after reintroducing his own bill.

The cause of death was viral pneumonia. The Senator had been ill for the last few months. He survived a bout with cancer several years ago.

The surprise introduction of the Safer Chemicals Improvement Act (SCIA) was seen by some as a sign that Senator Lautenberg's health had deteriorated and that his colleagues wanted to honor him with a chemicals bill that could pass the Senate.

Republican Governor Chris Christie will appoint someone to fill Lautenberg's seat.