WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) released the following statement Thursday regarding the inclusion of nearly $100 million in funding related to PFOA/PFOS water contamination surrounding active and former military installations, including the former Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Horsham, as well as the Horsham Air Guard Station:

“Since getting sworn into Congress last year, it has been my daily priority to ensure that our residents have access to safe, clean drinking water.  I’m pleased to report today that we’ve succeeded in securing nearly $100 million in additional funding for clean water programs.  

My constituents have a right to safe, clean drinking water and they deserve to know if PFOS and PFOA have compromised their long-term health. Securing funding for a health screening is a crucial step in the right direction of addressing this serious, growing health threat. Moreover, this spending agreement finally puts over $80,000,000 in funding behind Navy and Air Force remediation efforts on and around sites impacted by the military’s decades-long use of AFFF.

This is important progress, but I will not stop fighting for tens of thousands of residents in Bucks and Montgomery counties impacted by this contamination through no fault of their own. I will continue to advocate for additional congressional engagement with the Department of Defense on the long-term health effects resulting from contamination and ensure that local municipalities get access to the help they need.”

Included in the spending agreement:

• “$10M for PFOS/PFOA Studies and Analysis”
• “ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, NAVY The agreement provides $365,883,000, an increase of $84,468,000 above the budget request, for Environmental Restoration, Navy. Specifically, $42,234,000 is provided as a general program increase and $42,234,000 is provided to address costs associated with remediating contamination caused by perfluorinated chemicals.”
• “ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, AIR FORCE The agreement provides $352,549,000, an increase of $58,800,000 above the budget request, for Environmental Restoration, Air Force. Specifically, $15,000,000 is provided as a general program increase and $43,800,000 is provided to address costs associated with remediating contamination caused by perfluorinated chemicals.”
• ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, DEFENSE-WIDE The agreement provides $19,002,000, an increase of $10,000,000 above the budget request, for Environmental Restoration, Defense-Wide. The increase is provided to address health screenings related to contaminated water.”

Since his first day in office, Fitzpatrick has been a fierce advocate for increased response and funding related to PFOA/PFOS contamination. Earlier this month, he was named the 2018 Water Quality Association Champion Representative for his water safety efforts.