Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today Congressman Rob Wittman sent a letter to Inez Moore Tenenbaum, Chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to urge the expeditious resolution of the commission's investigation into the scope and impact of toxic Chinese drywall affecting his constituents. Just yesterday, Wittman toured the homes of several constituents affected by the toxic drywall in the Hollymeade neighborhood of Newport News.

The conclusion of the investigation was set for the end of October, but has been postponed to some point in November. Residents of homes across the Nation are waiting for the findings of the commission's investigation which may determine their eligibility for state and federal assistance programs, loan modifications, insurance policy changes, tax deductions, and other programs.

NOTE: The text of the letter follows below

October 21, 2009

Ms. Inez Moore Tenenbaum

Chairman

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

4330 East West Highway
Bethesda, MD 20814

Dear Chairman Tenenbaum:

I am writing to you to urge the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to act expeditiously in its investigation into the scope and impact of toxic imported drywall that is plaguing many of my constituents.  I recently toured the homes of several constituents and saw first hand how toxic drywall has put the health and financial well-being of numerous families at serious risk.

As you know, many communities in Hampton Roads, Virginia have been devastated by the discovery of toxic drywall.  Of particular concern is the significant military presence in this area and the impact on the military families who own homes where toxic drywall is present.  Many of these families are juggling the burdens of having a deployed spouse or a spouse preparing for deployment and an additional financial burden such as a move out of an impacted home, foreclosure, or loss of insurance coverage would be devastating.

I understand that the Commission has stationed field investigators in the affected States and is shifting additional staff to those areas to assist in the investigation.  Is the Commission assigning staff and investigators based on the number of cases in a particular region or state?  How many investigators and staff are assigned to the Commonwealth of Virginia?

The CPSC has indicated that the technical committee will complete its review of several ongoing studies and report its findings to the CPSC in November.  The initial deadline was set for October and I am concerned that further delays will only cause impacted homeowners more hardship. As you know, the results of these tests are critical to homeowners who are waiting to learn their eligibility for state and federal assistance programs, loan modifications, insurance policy changes, tax deductions and other programs.

I urge the committee and the CPSC to thoroughly and expeditiously conduct this investigation and report its findings and recommendations to the public as soon as possible.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

With kind regards, I am

Sincerely

Robert J. Wittman

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.