When President Obama visits China this week, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson wants him to press the Chinese government to compensate Florida homeowners for defective drywall.

“I have asked (Obama) and his staff to take up this issue when he meets with the president of China because the ultimate party that’s responsible is going to have to come up with the financing to help our people,” Nelson said before a meeting with local elected officials.

Many homeowners blame the imported building material for causing respiratory problems and foul odors in their houses.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to find a responsible party that will make these homeowners whole. And that’s the government of China. Because it is the Chinese government that allowed defective Chinese toys years ago to come in and they’re allowing this defective Chinese drywall,” Nelson said.

“I see it as a matter of negotiation that will be taken up by the presidential party in this high-level meeting.”

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will join U.S. Reps. Robert Wexler, Ron Klein and Mario Diaz-Balart tomorrow on a tour of a Boynton Beach doctor’s home contaminated by Chinese drywall.

The entourage, which includes state Sen. Ted Deutch, will visit Steve and Jennifer Robert’s home in Cobblestone Creek. The Roberts’ daughter has been afflicted with frequent respiratory infections possibly caused by the toxic drywall.

Palm Beach County officials, including Wexler and Klein, have pushed Congress to do something about the tainted building product, as has U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

s had on the lives of the Roberts family, who own a home in the community of Cobblestone Creek. Dr. Steve Roberts and his wife Jennifer Roberts have struggled with their 16 month-old daughter’s frequent respiratory infections, and the fact that their home has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in value as a result of this toxic product.

WHO:
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan
Congressman Robert Wexler
Congressman Mario-Diaz Balart
Congressman Ron Klein
State Senator Ted Deutch

WHAT:
Press Availability Following Tour of Home

WHERE:
The home of Dr. Steve Roberts and Jennifer Roberts
10013 Cobblestone Creek Drive, Boynton Beach, FL

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 13, 10:30-11:30 am