Representatives Espaillat and Díaz-Balart Reintroduce Bipartisan E-Waste Legislation for the 119th Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – The ongoing national security concerns related to the United States’ unchecked export of electronic waste (“e-waste”)—such as old cell phones, computers, servers, and other gadgets—have prompted Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) to reintroduce the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA). 

The bill would curb the flow of U.S. e-waste to foreign nations, which is on track to reach over 80 million tons by 2030. Upon its arrival in foreign nations, U.S. e-waste is frequently discarded in ways that are environmentally destructive, unlawfully turned into counterfeit electronics, or insufficiently refurbished electronics products that are then resold as new. Concerningly, these counterfeit and unsafe electronics are often then resold to buyers in the United States, where the faulty materials can make their way into critical U.S. military equipment.

“As technology evolves faster than ever, so does the volume of electronic waste generated in the U.S.—waste that, if not properly managed, can pose serious risks to our national security and the environment,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Today, unregulated actors around the world continue to exploit U.S. e-waste to manufacture counterfeit electronics, some of which re-enter the global supply chain and threaten consumer safety, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. Proper e-waste recycling isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a national security imperative. SEERA addresses this urgent need by keeping sensitive materials out of the wrong hands, supporting climate goals, and creating thousands of American jobs through secure, domestic recycling infrastructure.” 

"As we work to free America from unfair and hostile trade practices, the enactment of SEERA would be an important step in that direction–strengthening our national security against China and protecting our future. Proper handling of electronic waste ensures our critical data and infrastructure remain protected and that dangerous materials are handled responsibly. Importantly, it would set requirements for the recycling of these products to be done domestically while creating new jobs. Passing this legislation will fortify and reinforce our national security as well as our future,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.
 

“The Coalition for American Electronics Recycling (CAER) is most appreciative of the leadership of Rep. Espaillat and Rep. Diaz-Balart in introducing this important bipartisan legislation to limit untested, nonworking e-scrap exports,” said Bob Houghton, CEO of Sage Sustainable Electronics and CAER Executive Committee member. “Under SEERA, our industry will play an integral role to address National Security concerns, further develop a domestic source of rare earth and critical minerals, and create up to 42,000 good paying jobs here in the United States.”

The Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act prohibits the export of specified e-waste and outlines the process for the registration and compliance of export declarations and for the disposal of electronic waste in the United States.

Click here to read this SEERA legislation in its entirety.

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. 

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov