“Today, the House voted for final passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, bringing this important consumer-protection legislation a step closer to the President’s desk. This bill is Congress’s bipartisan response to a spate of product recalls that left millions of families wondering whether their children’s toys were free from toxic chemicals. I hope and trust that strong new safety regulations will set their minds at ease.

 

“Consumer Reports called this bill ‘desperately needed’ and ‘the broadest-sweeping product safety legislation since…the late 1970s.’ I agree: the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is long past-due. Among other provisions, it essentially eliminates lead from all toys sold in the United States; establishes mandatory toy safety and testing standards; strengthens the resources and transparency of the Consumer Product Safety Commission; and bans the harmful chemicals called phthalates from children’s products.

 

“This landmark legislation, passed in large part due to the leadership of Chairman Dingell, is one more effort from the 110th Congress to protect the health of our children and families. For their sake, I hope that the Senate will pass it, and that the President will sign it into law.”