Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act (HR 4040). Like all products of compromise, it does not contain everything all of us would have liked. But it is a positive step forward in an area of public policy crying out for reform, and I am glad we are able to make this progress today.
Given recent press reports about unsafe levels of lead in children’s toys, this legislation appropriately establishes the toughest lead standard in the world when it comes to children’s products. Additionally, while not going as far as it ultimately should, HR 4040 subjects a much broader range of products to independent, third-party review.
I am also pleased that the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act reverses the recent underfunding of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) by increasing its authorization to $100 million by FY 2011 — including an additional $20 million to modernize the CPSC’s testing lab. It is neither reasonable nor responsible to task an agency with a job as important as protecting the public health without providing the resources necessary to accomplish that task.
Finally, this bill takes concrete steps to improve public notice of product recalls and strengthen enforcement against bad actors in the consumer market.
As we begin discussions aimed at finalizing this legislation with the Senate, I hope we will be able to make additional improvements to this bill by broadening the scope of mandatory product testing, enhancing families’ right to know, and including robust whistleblower protections for those courageous enough to bring serious safety hazards to light.
Madam Speaker, the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act is a good start. I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve the strongest possible consumer protection legislation in the months ahead, and I yield back the balance of my time.