NPMA Applauds Reps. Butterfield and Young For Action Against Bed Bugs

FAIRFAX, Va. (September 22, 2010) – The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) applauds Representatives G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Don Young (R-AK) for creating a Congressional Bed Bug Forum set to take place on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at the Capitol Visitor Center. The Forum will focus on the federal government's response to the bed bug resurgence and ways in which it can more effectively help assist Americans in managing this pest.

"We commend Representatives Butterfield and Young for their leadership as we work together to combat the resurgence of bed bugs," said Bob Rosenberg, NPMA's Vice President of Government Affairs. "The Congressional Bed Bug Forum and the Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act, introduced earlier this year, are crucial steps towards creating solutions for this serious problem."

Representatives Butterfield and Young announced the forum in a joint letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH). 

"Until now the federal response to the bed bug resurgence has not been adequate," wrote Representatives Butterfield and Young.  "The problem not only jeopardizes public health and safety but also threatens commerce by creating disincentives to travel and engage in daily activities like riding public transportation, shopping, or going to the movies." 

The forum will bring together Members of Congress, victims of bed bug infestations, representatives from various federal agencies, NPMA and other affected industries to discuss the impact of bed bugs, treatment methods, and federal action needed to deal with this nationwide crisis.

The forum will also address the possibility of federal grants to assist local governments, and local housing authorities to help them manage and prevent bed bug infestations; identify challenges of bringing new, more effective and affordable bed bug management products to the market; and explore the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) and local housing authorities' policies for preventing and managing bed bugs, and landlord and tenant responsibilities in dealing with an infestation.