Pat Ryan Demands Congressional Hearing

WASHINGTON, DC – Friday, Congressman Pat Ryan demanded that Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg, AT&T CEO John Stankey, and US Telecom CEO Jonathan Spalter testify in Congress in response to the ongoing lead cable crisis. This comes as the Wall Street Journal reported that the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency are investigating the potential risks posed by the sprawling network of toxic lead-sheathed telecom cables across the U.S, including an aerial cable at a playground in Wappingers Falls, part of Congressman Ryan’s district.

“This week, Verizon and AT&T reported billions in profits, yet when it comes to answering questions about toxic lead cables, they’re silent. If they won’t be honest with the American people and take accountability, we will compel them to,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “In particular, it’s outrageous that these companies denied the public health impacts of their negligence, which flies in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence that even trace amounts of lead can pose serious health risks for children. I’ll keep fighting until the last lead cable is safely removed.”

Last week, Congressman Ryan wrote to Vestberg, Stankey and Spalter demanding answers as to the location of these lead cables and their plans for remediation. US Telecom’s response, linked here, did not address either of these concerns.

Ryan, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Water Resources Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency, addressed today’s letter to Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and Representative Sam Graves, the chairs of Energy and Commerce Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, respectively.