Statement of Congressman John D. Dingell, Chairman
Committee on Energy and Commerce

SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, TRADE, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION HEARING ENTITLED, “COMPREHENSIVE CHILDREN’S PRODUCT SAFETY AND CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION REFORM LEGISLATION”

November 6, 2007

Today we hold a legislative hearing on H.R. 4040, the “Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act”. This bipartisan bill will improve our Nation’s capacity to protect its consumers and their children, a goal that I believe all members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce embrace. I particularly wish to commend Subcommittee Chairman Rush and Ranking Member Stearns, and full Committee Ranking Member Barton, for their collective efforts in writing this important bill.

As has been established in the hearing records by this Subcommittee, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is hampered both in lack of authority and in resources to address crucial consumer protection issues faced by our citizens.

I believe that H.R. 4040 will go far to alleviate these problems, as well as strengthen the CPSC to meet the responsibilities under its jurisdiction.

I welcome our witnesses today and look forward to their testimony. With the larger goal of protecting consumers and their children in mind, I am interested in the views of our witnesses on both the implementation of H.R. 4040, and how effective its provisions will be in addressing our goals for consumer protection. In particular, I hope our witnesses will share their insights in certain areas of H.R. 4040, such as:

• The adequacy of the reauthorization for CPSC and the implications of restoring that agency to a five-member governing body;
• The advantages of permitting the CPSC to engage in expedited rulemaking;
• Whether the proposed lead standard for products will sufficiently protect children;
• The feasibility and benefits of mandatory third-party testing for certain children’s products; and
• Any suggestions for a means by which the Congress might fund the reforms put forth by this legislation.

I remain committed to ensuring that the Committee on Energy and Commerce produces a thoughtful, well-intentioned, and effective bill that will make crucial improvements in the CPSC to strengthen its ability to protect our Nation’s consumers.

I thank both the witnesses and my colleagues who collectively contributed to the development of H.R. 4040, and I look forward to the Committee’s expeditious passage of this legislation this year.