"Advocates of chemical safety -- along with activists who have worked a score of other issues -- say they've lost a lion-hearted champion with the death yesterday of Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.)."

"And whether anybody can fill those shoes on the long-stalled effort to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act remains to be seen.

Lautenberg had reached a major breakthrough last month with the announcement that he had partnered with Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) to draft a bipartisan bill to overhaul TSCA, the first major reform to that bill since its passage in 1976. The support of the industry-friendly Vitter, along with 18 other bipartisan co-sponsors, seemed to clear a potential path for some sort of reform, even one that public health advocates deemed a step down from his previous bills."

Jason Plautz reports for Environment & Energy Daily June 4, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"All Eyes on Christie, Who Faces Multiple Dilemmas Over Lautenberg Succession" (Environment & Energy Daily) [3]

"Lautenberg Left a Lasting Mark on Public Health" (Washington Post) [4]

"Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey Senator in His 5th Term, Dies at 89" (New York Times) [5]

"Lautenberg's Death Sets Off New Jersey Senate Scramble" (NPR) [6]

"Lautenberg’s Death Adds To Democrats’ Legislative Troubles" (Boston Globe) [7]

"Obama, Politicians Pay Tribute To Lautenberg" (USA TODAY) [8]

"Senate Champion For Environment, Chemical Safety Dies" (Chemical & Engineering News) [9]

"Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot" (New York Times) [10]

"Lautenberg Dies After 3 Decades in Office; His TSCA Reform Push Was Gaining Momentum" (Greenwire) [11]

"Death of Senator Places Christie in Difficult Spot" (Washington Post) [10]

"Lautenberg Leaves Tricky Political Question For Christie" (CNN) [12]

"Lautenberg Leaves Legacy on Chemical Reform" (Mother Jones) [13]

"Lautenberg Leaves Lasting Legacy, Hope For Toxic Chemical Reform" (Huffington Post) [14]