Rep. Maloney Rallies for Greener Vaccines

Congresswoman Recognized for Leading the Capitol Hill Fight for Safer Vaccines

U.S. Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) joined actors, activists, and parents Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey as well as hundreds of people from all across the country for the "Green Our Vaccines Rally" on the National Mall today. Rep. Maloney has led efforts on Capitol Hill to address concerns surrounding vaccine safety and the link between vaccines and autism.

"It was an honor to take part in the Green Our Vaccines Rally. I applaud Jenny and Jim for all they have done to protect our nation's children, and I applaud all of the parents who came out today," said Rep. Maloney. "Vaccines have been instrumental in reducing the incidence of many once-common diseases, but we owe it to parents and children to study and finally resolve the questions that have been raised about them. I remain committed to passing vaccine safety legislation and to fighting to ensure that the voices of all the parents and children who participated in today's rally are heard within the halls of Congress."

Rep. Maloney has introduced the "Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act of 2007" (H.R. 2832), legislation that would require the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a comprehensive comparative study of vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, which may resolve the controversy about the possible link between autism and mercury or other vaccine components. For more information on the "Comprehensive Comparative Study of Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Populations Act" visit: http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1383&Itemid=61.

Rep. Maloney has also introduced the "Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act of 2007" (H.R. 1973) with Rep. Dave Weldon, M.D. (R-FL). The legislation that would give responsibility for the nation's vaccine safety to an independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, removing most vaccine safety research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Currently, the CDC has responsibility for both vaccine safety and promotion, which is an inherent conflict of interest increasingly garnering public criticism. For more information on the "Vaccine Safety and Public Confidence Assurance Act of 2007" visit: http://weldon.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=65183.