DeGette, colleagues launch new bipartisan task force to tackle youth vaping epidemic

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY) today announced the formation of a new congressional caucus aimed at curbing the nation's teen-vaping epidemic.

The move comes as the Food and Drug Administration reported that the number of vaping-related illnesses in the U.S. has now grown to 530 cases and seven deaths across 38 states and one territory – a 40 percent increase from the week before.

"We're facing a true epidemic in this country," DeGette said at a news conference Thursday announcing the launch of the new bipartisan working group. "Congress has a responsibility to protect our public health. We're going to be working tirelessly to make sure we keep these products out of the hands of our young people."

The newly-formed Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic will work to bring members of Congress from both sides of the political aisle together to find solutions aimed at curbing the rapid rise in the number of teens now vaping across the country.

DeGette, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations panel, has been an outspoken proponent of increasing federal regulation of vaping products and is currently spearheading an ongoing congressional investigation into the possible link between e-cigarettes and the spike of vaping-related illnesses spreading across the country.

In March, DeGette introduced legislation to ban the sale of flavored nicotine products that many experts say have led to the rapid rise in the number of teens now vaping. And in April, she introduced legislation to raise the nationwide smoking age, for both traditional and e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21.

The House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations panel, which DeGette chairs, will hold a hearing next week on the recent surge of vaping-related illnesses that continues to spread across the country. Officials from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are among those expected to testify.

More information on next week's hearing is available here:/media-center/press-releases/key-house-panel-announces-hearing-to-investigate-surge-of-vaping-related

Video of DeGette's full remarks at today's press conference announcing the new caucus is available here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUgxe-cuqx4&feature=youtu.be