Senator Webb Calls on President Obama to Raise Matter of Defective Drywall with Chinese President During Upcoming Visit

Request builds on efforts to assist more than 1,900 homeowners in 30 states

Washington, DC—Senator Jim Webb today sent a letter to President Barack Obama calling on him to raise the issue of defective Chinese drywall with President Hu Jintao during his upcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China. The request follows an ongoing effort on behalf of Senator Webb and the Virginia delegation to assist the hundreds of Virginia families and businesses that have suffered physically and financially from tainted drywall, imported from China. 

 

Webb’s letter suggests that liability of the Chinese government should be explored, as remedies are sought for affected residents and businesses domestically. Webb serves as chairman of the East Asia and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  

 

As Virginia residents “seek legal and administrative remedies, a major unanswered question is the liability of Chinese companies, and whether those companies or the Chinese government will be held accountable for financial or health-related damages,” wrote Senator Webb.  “Reportedly, some of the companies involved may be owned by the Chinese government.  As you speak with President Hu Jintao, I urge you to raise the issue of the contaminated drywall and China’s responsibility to assist in providing remedies to those affected by faulty products.”

 

Since April 2009, Senator Webb’s office has made a number of inquiries into possible federal support for Virginians who have suffered as a result of Chinese drywall.  In October, he called on the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to complete ongoing tests and evaluations in an expedited fashion. Senators Webb and Mark Warner also asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist affected homeowners and businesses with temporary relocation support and other emergency assistance routinely provided individuals impacted from manmade and natural disasters.

 

A copy of Senator Webb’s letter follows:

 

November 5, 2009

 

The President

The White House

Washington, DC  20500

 

Dear Mr. President:

 

I am writing to convey my deep concern regarding defective Chinese drywall that has been reported in 30 states across the nation, with particularly large concentrations in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  As my colleagues and I continue to explore ways to address the impact on homeowners, I respectfully request that you raise this issue during your upcoming visit to the People’s Republic of China.

 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released a preliminary report demonstrating that Chinese drywall emits higher levels of sulfur gases and strontium than U.S.-made products.  Further studies are due to be released soon, which may definitively link the contaminated drywall to the electrical corroding of appliances and multiple health problems that have been experienced. 

 

I have heard directly from many Virginia residents who are facing mounting financial and health burdens due to the contamination of their homes.  As they seek legal and administrative remedies, a major unanswered question is the liability of Chinese companies, and whether those companies or the Chinese government will be held accountable for financial or health-related damages.  Reportedly, some of the companies involved may be owned by the Chinese government.  As you speak with President Hu Jintao, I urge you to raise the issue of the contaminated drywall and China’s responsibility to assist in providing remedies to those affected by faulty products.

 

Importantly, this is an issue with relevance beyond toxic drywall damages, as we expand bilateral efforts to improve the quality of Chinese exports to the United States, while also seeking to hold China to international standards of consumer product safety.

 

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

 

                                                Sincerely,

 

 

 

                                                Jim Webb

                                                United States Senator