WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 6068, The Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008

Comment by DJW (November 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

I want to know specifically who "those clowns are in the congress" who are sponsoring this bill!...

Comment by phyzee (November 7, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

i have been experienced about bedbugs it has frustrate but let us not say it's harmful to our live because we don't know what's not good to our live and what is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!...

Comment by November (November 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EST

As a result of bedbugs being brought into my apartment building by a neighbor, I have had to throw away all of my posessions and move. The affect on my life has been on par with a fire except for that the losses are not covered by insurance. If you think this isn't a serious problem or if you think it's a joke you couldn't be more wrong. They are easily spread and they are insidious.If this is not treated like the pandemic that it is, I fear people will have to learn the hard way. We need WHO keeping solid stats, we need public awareness, we need insurance coverage....

Comment by Jim (October 28, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Don't think we should be spending money on bedbugs? Think again, take a look at all these bites and stories: http://www.badbedbugs.com/bed-bug-bites/bugs-4/ It's a growing problem and without stronger inspections, it will continue to grow....

Comment by bugBOY (October 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Sunny- it would be nice if you would share the name of the power and sprayer you used along with your method of getting rid of the bugs I have had on and off for ten years- Entrench please tells use of your steam technique. Don't just belittle people if your against the bill then help us not to need the legislation...

Comment by Truthbetold (October 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The bed bug epidemic is very, very real. This insect will continue to thrive in America unless immediate action is taken. Our govenment must start to take care of it's people once again. This insect is not one you can easily clean away or chemically treat away. For those affected by them you understand....for those not yet affected by them you will soon. Continue to go to the movies, travel, visit a friend in an apartment building or the coffee house next door. Please pass this bill and please help the ordinary Americans who are walking all economic paths affected by this insect. Please do not delay....

Comment by bull (October 14, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

you people that support this bill are a bunch of idiots why should anyone in there right mind want to acually spend money on this sure you get bit and it itches for awhile but i mean seriously folks you really want to spend money on this or ive got a better idea on how to get rid of these things get off your fat asses and do something the fed dont need to take care of this for you and i mean honestly where would you rather that money go education or waste it on a few bugs...

Comment by iris-mom (October 8, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

my son started college this fall for a month my son had bed bugs. we had clean his room out with bleach, when he went into his room, he was biten all over his arms legs and face and chest. he saw the college dr, he said that he had poison oak. my son finally spotted the bug they where in the bed (he has a wooden bed) this has been so stressful i have taken him to other dr's they couldn't tell me what he had. now i am wondering will my son body will be mark for the rest of his life. i sent my son to college and this is what happened to him. granted the school has taken the time to fix it, but i was told he is not the case. this bill should be passed.i have to know take my son to see plastic surgon if the marks remain in his body. i had also pay to have my place clean out. i am a single mom taken care of 2 kids. i don't get much help from their father, this has stress me out....

Comment by Bedbug City (October 6, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT

See how widespread is the bedbug problem: http://mappost.org/bedbugcity.php...

Comment by sunny (September 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Currently I have a bed bug problem, and use the non-toxic powder. Works good, but I need to get the duster because they will go into the cracks and come back, usually after a couple of months. But I only get bit once or twice, then spread the powder, and they're gone. If I dust into the cracks, I'll think I'll have it licked. My girlfriend had success with the duster a year ago, she does'nt have it anymore. I agree, there has to be a better solution than having the government spend $ we need to spend on other issues. Bed bugs are bad, I have scars on my legs,but I think there has to be a better solution. I also have a professional steam cleaner, but have to get off my butt to set up and do the apartment, which I'm sure will also help A LOT....

Comment by sunny (September 17, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 EDT

And please, we have enough pesticides dumped onto this poor planet, we don't need to lift any bans on the ones we've gotten rid of. THINK!...

Comment by andy (August 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

DOES THIS INCLUDE LIFTING THE BAN ON DDT AND OTHER POTENT CHEMICALS?IF IT DOES NOT THEN WHAT GOOD DOES THIS DO?...

Comment by andy (August 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This bill does almost nothing!!!!infact nothing period!!! How about more spending in research in better pesticide!!! I can tell that from my own experiance.youcan call the externimater all you want.do althat they tell you to and when they spray the realy weak crap down the bugs will just scatter into your neighbors appt.and when your neighbor calls the exterminator to have their unit sprayed they will filter back into your appt.tomorow we will have appts done.hopefully after 1 year year of this we will finally knock it down.point being if it were not for that looney environmentelist by the name of Dr rachel carlson we would still have the ulitimate pesticide that saved millions of lives.DDT.Hr 6068 does not address lifting the ban on DDT,or other powerfull pesticides...

Revision by webmaster (August 7, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 6068 would establish a grant program to assist States in inspecting hotel rooms for bed bugs.

Detailed Summary

H.R. 6068 would create a grant program in the Department of Commerce and authorize $50,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for giving these grants to states.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide grants to an eligible state to assist the state, if the State has established a program to inspect at least 20% of rooms in lodging facilities in the state, for cimex lectularius, commonly know as the bed bug. Allows a state to use a grant to conduct inspections, train inspection personnel, and educate lodging proprietors and staff about prevention and eradication of bed bugs.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 5/16/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Points in Favor

Bedbugs are a Serious Problem

This is a really important bill. Bed bugs are spreading fast and anyone who has had them in their homes would tell you they are a nightmare which can take months and thousands of dollars to get rid of. A bedbug bite creates a wheal the size of a half-dollar, is painful, and itches like concentrated poison ivy injected into your body. It's like living with phantom spiders that feed on you. You awaken at 3 am with a flashlight to feverishly inspect your now pure white sheets and obsess about them touching the floor. Every morning you inspect your mattress and every washday you re-inspect your entire bed.

These bugs are truly horrible. The expense , the loss of furniture, the stress and mental anguish, the social stigma . . . all happen to one's life when bedbugs invade a home.

The bedbug's ability to hitchhike via personal items is insidious. They don't just live in sheets or beds. They spread to your books, towels, carpets, wall sockets, and electronics. A bug that causes so much stress and upheaval in one's life must be taken seriously. Ignore this bug and it will wreak havoc on society.

Good housekeeping is not enough to keep bedbugs away. Bed bugs aren't spread through uncleanliness, they spread by proximity and contact with others that have them. Bed bugs are now present in every quarter of public life: schools, workplaces, theaters; even your car. They are more resilient than cockroaches, and much more harmful to humans. And here's the kicker: a home can go from being bug-free to having a serious infestation in about a month-and-a-half.

Many people are running into these bugs at hotels, on planes, etc. and unknowingly bringing them home by no fault of their own. The bugs then infest their homes and often friends and family members as well. It can cost thousands of dollars to eradicate these things, and in multi-unit dwellings, it's often impossible to do so. Bedbugs need to be addressed for the vermin that they are. Their continued spread via the accommodations industry should be taken very seriously.

A study has shown bed bugs are resistant to DDT. It's not the answer.

But some people have not had such bad experiences. New sheets and a steam cleaner to clean the mattress solved the problem for a whopping $15 to rent the cleaner.

Bedbugs are a Public Health Issue

Bed bugs have become a public health issue. In terms of physical health, the bites often create allergic reactions on the skin. This can cause trouble sleeping at night due to the mental health effects of infestation. The lack of sleep affects physical health and work performance.

Because there are not highly effective pesticides and treatments available currently for bed bugs, the best way to stop this from reaching epidemic proportions is to prevent the spread of bugs in the first place.

It's been proven that many home infestations are the result of travel. Inspecting hotels will protect consumers and also protect the tourism industry.

Effects on Commerce

The re-emergence of bed bugs is going to have a major impact on a number of industries, particularly the hospitality and travel industries.

Home owners associations also are affected by this problem. One HOA in Northern VA found bed bugs in 16 of their 25 buildings. In one, all but two condos needed to be treated. Once bed bugs establish themselves, they travel quickly through the walls.

Legislation is Needed

Legislation is in order at the least to try to get hotels etc. to do better inspections and thorough treatments. If you think big business will self-regulate, check out TripAdvisor online and type "bed bugs" on the search â�� see how many establishments have been reported by travelers. It's shocking.

This legislation is not asking for money to treat bed bugs, but for money to pay State inspectors to look for bed bug infestation.

Since bed bugs were a non-issue 5 years ago, there is no current protocol for dealing with them. Hotels would rather deal with the bugs themselves than get the State involved. This is like having a health inspector inspect kitchens.

Lodging and real estate are some of the slimier businesses in the world. They need governmental oversight because they could care less about their customers given the peculiar nature of their business models.

Bedbugs affects all the states, as they spread from state to state, so it should be federal.

Alternatives and Next Steps

If Congress doesn't afford grants for inspection, they should make it law that hotels, motels, and B&Bs must inspect for bed bugs four times a year. It takes five weeks for an infestation to take root. Inspecting every three months ought to do it.

Congress needs to consider federal legislation to help deal with infestations in residential housing , as well.

The federal government should also set up a centralized reporting agency to track the spread of bed bugs and the result of efforts to control them.

Points Against

Constitutional Issues and Role of Government

There is no constitutional authority for the federal government to address bedbugs. There is also no limit on what it might address if it can address bedbugs.

There are many similar problems that we wouldnâ��t want solved by the federal government, all the way down to dirty dishes. Every minor annoyance you face in life isn't cause for a federal initiative; the government is not your Mom, your best friend, or your caretaker. We have drifted too far toward a government of entitlement. There are those who seem to want our government to take care of their every want or need all while ignoring Islamic terrorism and the impending collapse of Medicare and Social Security.

It's up to the affected industries (and those of us who utilize their services) to deal with this problem, however "horrible" it is. The role of government is NOT to transfer resources from the general public to special interest groups. And government has a long track record of failing to produce intended results despite the fact that they "invest" much more resources than any private entity would.

Bureaucrats can do no more about this than people and businesses can do themselves. The Nanny State "solution" would be highly inefficient with long queues, like any Nanny State "solution" is, and another drain on the tax payers money.

For any piece of legislation we should ask: First, does this task have to be carried out by government at all? Second, if so, what level of government should carry it out? Here, there is no role for government at all. It is not the state government's job (with funding from the federal government) to protect us from bed bugs. Even if we grant that for some reason only the government can fight bed bugs, why does the Federal government need to involved. States can come up with a one million dollars a piece to take care of this problem. But hotels and homeowners should take care of the problem.

Consumer Pressure / Market Responses / Litigation

Instead of a new federal law and federal spending, we should let other forces control this problem.

Hotel owners need to know that there's a limit to how much cost-cutting they can do. They need to start using detergent and hot water when they wash their sheets. Large hotel chains will lose lots of money when word gets out that their $69.99 rooms don't include full bedbug removal. Hotels with infestations will lose business or be sued.

The government does not need to be the one to track bed bug infestation in hotels. Why not create a bed bug tracking site that allows users to report on hotels that are doing more to control bed bugs or spread the word about repeat offenders? Why not petition an already-existing review site to include a bed bugs category? There are review sites for many restaurants and companies. This is no different.

If you've been to a hotel with a bedbug infestation, I promise there's a huge group of lawyers ready to bring a multi-million dollar tort suit against the hotel on your behalf.

Private residences can pay for extermination just as they do with termites.

Needless Spending

Fifty million dollars per year is far too much to spend while there are real issues beating this economy into the ground. The government has a multi-trillion dollar debt, but it is finding ever more creative ways to spend our money.

Citizens should not be forced to spend 200 million dollars of their money, regardless of whether or not they own or make use of single family residences, HOAs, and hotels.

Comment by Vector-Guard Inc. (July 28, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

As a K-9 bedbug inspection company we have seen a large growth in bedbug infestations in homes in the DC.Maryland.Virginia area. I agree that the Hospitality Industry needs to be more aggresive with prevention methods for thier clients that visit there establishments. I dont think it should fall on the backs of the taxpayer to provide this kind of assistance to hotels that fail to provide a ongoing inpsection to prevent this problem, which in turn is giving these insects access to people's homes. So if we agree to give this assistance then there needs to be some kind of monitoring to make sure that these funds are being used to get the proper inspections and treatments. President Vector-Guard Inc....

Comment by Johnson (July 27, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

The gov should enforce regular inspection - making the hotels pay for it. As for those who believe bed bugs for poor and unkept. My husband and I, who have a combined income of $180,000 now have an infestation. When they bite I get blisters. I have five blisters on my legs that itch like chicken pox. For those who can't afford the procedure to eradicate them, my heart goes out to you....

Comment by Allison (July 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I am with Linda F. ... the corporations that own these places need to pay for this! I don't want to pay for their bedbug problems, I have my own to pay for. My husband just returned from travels and we think he brought a visitor with him, so we begin our own bedbug fight. I agree the hospitality industry needs to deal with it (I am not happy my husband stayed in a hotel that had them and now we do), but I do not see how this is put on taxpayers shoulders to pay for....

Comment by WCityMike (July 23, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Bedbugs are a communicable public health problem. Our government currently inspects hotels for many things; this adds funding for bedbug inspections, sensible since bedbugs are the most communicable problem hotels have: they infest customer after customer who resides in the room; each then has the possibility of infesting their houses, workplaces, schools and/or other hotels. It expands into a nasty geometric progression. It affects the tourism industry. It is a MAJOR concern for any resident of NYC (I am not one) -- it's a bloody plague out there. Allotting preventative funding NOW prevents larger-scale problems (and greater government costs) later. For those who mock and name-call -- I long ago decided I wouldn't even wish bedbugs on my worst enemies. But were you to have ever experienced a bedbug infestation ... you'd have a far more accurate experience of what the problem really is....

Comment by Donald B Parsons (July 13, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I'm with Nunca!!!...

Comment by I can't believe this (July 12, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

conversation is still going on. $50,000,000. For bed bugs. We have a $10 TRILLION debt. How stupid are you people?...

Revision by webmaster (July 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 6068 would establish a grant program to assist States in inspecting hotel rooms for bed bugs.

Detailed Summary

H.R. 6068 would create a grant program in the Department of Commerce and authorize $50,000,000 in each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012 for giving these grants to states.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 5/16/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Points in Favor

Bedbugs are a Serious Problem

These bugs are truly horrible. The expense , the loss of furniture, the stress and mental anguish, the social stigma . . . all happen to one's life when bedbugs invade a home.

A study has shown bed bugs are resistant to DDT. It's not the answer.

But some people have not had such bad experiences. New sheets and a steam cleaner to clean the mattress solved the problem for a whopping $15 to rent the cleaner.

Bedbugs are a Public Health Issue

It's been proven that many home infestations are the result of travel. Inspecting hotels will protect consumers and also protect the tourism industry.

Effects on Commerce

The re-emergence of bed bugs is going to have a major impact on a number of industries, particularly the hospitality and travel industries.

Legislation is Needed

This legislation is not asking for money to treat bed bugs, but for money to pay State inspectors to look for bed bug infestation.

Bedbugs affects all the states, as they spread from state to state, so it should be federal.

Alternatives and Next Steps

Congress needs to consider federal legislation to help deal with infestations in residential housing , as well.

The federal government should also set up a centralized reporting agency to track the spread of bed bugs and the result of efforts to control them.

Points Against

Constitutional Issues and Role of Government

There is no constitutional authority for the federal government to address bedbugs. There is also no limit on what it might address if it can address bedbugs.

Consumer Pressure / Market Responses / Litigation

Instead of a new federal law and federal spending, we should let other forces control this problem.

If you've been to a hotel with a bedbug infestation, I promise there's a huge group of lawyers ready to bring a multi-million dollar tort suit against the hotel on your behalf.

Private residences can pay for extermination just as they do with termites.

Needless Spending

Citizens should not be forced to spend 200 million dollars of their money, regardless of whether or not they own or make use of single family residences, HOAs, and hotels.

Comment by Norm (July 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Lets see now H.R. 6068 the Bed Bug Act... Next: H.R. 6069 the Lyme Disease Tick Act H.R. 6070 the Stinging Bee Act H.R. 6071 the Termite Act H.R. 6072 the Fire-Ant Act H.R. 6073 the Cockroach Act H.R. 6074 the Saw-Tooth Grain Beetle Act H.R. 6075 the Cigarette Beetle Act H.R. 6076 the House-Fly Act H.R. 6077 the Horse-Fly Act H.R. 6078 the Horse-S--t Act H.R. 1-800-ORKIN-MAN the Final Act...

Comment by Lynda F (July 10, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Seems to me this would be falling under the Dept of Health for inspection in each respective locale. I mean they already inspect hotels for other things to keep the public safe from potential hazards that the public has no control over, just add this to the list. IF the municipality needs more money for more inspectors, then I'm sure all the taxpayers in that area will have NO problem with paying an additional dollar or two in taxes to inspect for and combat this new epidemic. The Feds are offering money that they not only do NOT have yet, but that isn't really their's to start with as ALL federal money IS taxpayer money. And I'm sorry, but given that most of these hotels are all owned by major corporations profiting millions of dollars..........the reason THEY don't pay for this is? Common sense people, enforce the existing health codes, new laws are NOT required for every little thing that falls under the umbrella of "public health"....

Comment by James Buggles (July 9, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

In closing let me just share what an exterminator told me: "I'd rather have roaches, mice, AND rats than one bed bug." Remember, an exterminator told me this, and it was a casual conversation. He wasn't trying to sell me anything (he was spraying our office for roach control -- business as usual)....

Comment by Finally... (July 8, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I think Perth's analogy is appropriate. Bed bugs have become a public health issue. The law seeks to prevent restaurants from harboring vermin. Why shouldn't it prevent hotels from harboring bed bugs? They are a public health threat as well....