Costa Urged Passage of Meth Bill

WASHINGTON,DC - Congressman Jim Costa(D-Fresno) voiced his strong support today, Tuesday, 12/13/05 on the floor ofthe House of Representatives for preventing families from being exposed to thehazardous remains of methamphetamine labs.

Speaking in support of HR 798, "Methamphetamine RemediationAct of 2005," Costa brought attention to the epidemic sweeping the San Joaquin Valley. "We in California's CentralValley have been fighting rampant meth abuse, production and cleanup for over 20 years."

HR 798 passed the House this afternoon on a unanimousvote. Costa said, "In the effort to keepresidents safe from the waste produced by former meth labs, HR 798 requires theEnvironmental Protection Agency to develop guidelines that are voluntary andhealth-based for state and local governments to use in their clean-up efforts.

Costa cited the effects of such waste on members of thecommunity who move into former meth labs. "Unfortunately, methamphetamine abusers are not the only victims of thisdestructive drug," the Valley lawmaker said. "Studies show that the production of methamphetamine in labs and ‘superlabs' leave dangerous bi-products that put innocent children and lawenforcement in harms way."

As a Member of the California State Legislature, Costaauthored a law raising penalties for trafficking, manufacturing and the sale ofmethamphetamine to the same level as heroin and cocaine. Since becoming a member of Congress, Costahas continued his efforts to stamp out meth production in the Valley. Costa voted for passage of HR 798 both in theScience Committee, of which he is a member, and on the House Floor.