WASHINGTON (AP) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and two other high-ranking Democrats say they will support a bipartisan bill to set new safety standards for asbestos and other dangerous chemicals that have gone unregulated for decades.
Pelosi issued a statement supporting the bill Monday along with House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Rep. Frank Pallone, the senior Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Pallone had said last week he opposed an agreement reached by House and Senate negotiators, saying it was "weaker than current law."
Pallone, Pelosi and Hoyer said Monday that they remain concerned that the bill limits states' ability to act aggressively on toxic substances. But they said changes by Democrats ensure the overall bill is "a long-overdue step forward to protect families and communities from toxic substances."