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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
03/06/08
Contact: |
Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Pryor, Stevens, Inouye, Collins Score Victory for Consumer Safety
Senate Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Americans from Toxic Toys and Other Dangerous Products |
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WASHINGTON D.C. –The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) that will protect children and consumers from toxic toys and other dangerous products.
Pryor applauded Senate passage of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act of 2008, S.2663, which will provide assurance to parents that the toys and products they bring into their homes are safe. Among its provisions, the legislation infuses the CPSC with new resources and authority, requires mandatory testing on children’s products, bans lead in children’s toys and arms the public with faster information when a potential problem emerges.
“The CPSC is crippled under budget restraints, mounting imports and thousands of new products entering the marketplace. As a result, we’ve seen endless recalls and unnecessary deaths and injuries,” Pryor said. “My legislation allows parents and the CPSC to fight back against the tide of dangerous toys and products. It provides new safety safeguards that emphasize resources, accountability, disclosure and testing -- from the factory floor to the store shelves. I appreciate the broad, bipartisan support behind this bill and will work toward swift conference action in order to produce a solid, aggressive bill for President Bush to sign.”
“I thank Senator Pryor and Senator Stevens for their leadership in negotiating this bipartisan compromise bill. S. 2663 authorizes the appropriate level of resources and provides the new authorities necessary for the agency to do the job it was created to do: protect consumers,” Inouye said. “Children are dying and suffering grievous injuries because of unsafe products. This legislation directly addresses the weaknesses of our nation’s product safety system and is a good step forward in our effort to keep harmful products off of store shelves.”
“This important legislation will provide the Consumer Product Safety Commission with the tools needed to better protect American consumers,” said Stevens. “The measure will not only ensure that toys and other products sold in this country are safe, it also sends a strong message that when it comes to our children, safety must come first. I am especially pleased that the bill includes my provision to protect users of all-terrain vehicles by requiring both domestic and foreign ATV companies to comply with the same basic safety standards and sales practices.”
“Toy safety has made a giant leap forward with the Senate’s approval of this bipartisan bill to strengthen the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. This bill will help the federal government better detect and prevent threats to our children before, not after, toys reach store shelves,” said Collins.
“The Homeland Security Committee’s investigation into product safety identified serious gaps in our protections that this bill will fix. It includes provisions I authored giving Customs and Border Protection agents the power to seize and destroy hazardous toys and other unsafe products when they arrive at our ports,” Collins said. “I commend my colleagues, Senators Pryor, Stevens, and Inouye, for their hard work on this important consumer bill.”
Highlights of the legislation would:
Increase CPSC Resources and Effectiveness
- Funding: Authorize funding levels for 7 years starting at $88.5 million in 2009 and increasing at a rate of 10 percent per year through 2015. For 2009 and 2010, an additional $40 million would be authorized to upgrade CPSC’s laboratories and $1 million would be authorized to research the safety of nanotechnology in products
- Quorum: Allow a 2-member quorum to conduct official business for 9 months. The CPSC currently is without a quorum and cannot conduct business that requires Commission action such as a mandatory recall. Restores the Commission to five members instead of three members to prevent future absences of quorum
- Rulemaking Process: Streamline the product safety rulemaking process to be more timely by eliminating a mandatory “Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” step
Protect children from lead and unsafe products
- Lead: Ban lead in all children’s products
- Testing: Require third party safety certification of children’s products. Upon CPSC approval, proprietary labs will be allowed to test products if they provide equal or greater consumer protection than the manufacturer’s use of a third party lab.
- Safety Standards: Makes mandatory current toy safety standards promulgated by ASTM International, an independent standard-setting organization, and requires that toys be certified to the standards
Enhance Public Access to Product Safety Information
- Database: Establish a database to include any reports of injuries, illness, death or risk related to consumer products submitted by consumers, local, State or national government agencies, child care providers, physicians, hospitals, coroners, first responders, and the media. Allows the CPSC to expedite the disclosure of industry provided information in the interest of public health and safety.
Enable the Assessment of Larger Penalties and Enhance Enforcement of CPSC Statutes
- Civil Fines: Increase the civil fine penalty cap up to $20 million from the current level of $1.8 million
- Criminal Penalties: Increase criminal penalties to 5 years in jail for those who knowingly and willingly violate product safety laws
- Attorneys General: Allow state Attorneys General to obtain injunctive relief on behalf of its residents to enforce product safety laws
- Whistleblower Protections: Provide whistleblower protections for employees of manufacturers to shed light on any problems along the supply chain
Enhance Recall Effectiveness
- Labeling: Require manufacturers to label children’s products with tracking information useful to consumers and retailers in identifying recalled products
- Recalled Products: Make it unlawful for retailers to sell a recalled product
- Subcontractors: Require companies to identify their subcontractors in the supply chain
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27th - |
Aviation Subcommittee to Examine Aviation Safety
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security will hold an Aviation Safety Oversight Hearing on April 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
Although the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing its safest period in history there have been a series of high-profile events that have raised concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) ove...
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27th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Announces April 2 Markup
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces an Executive Session for Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at 2:30 p.m., in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.
During the Executive Session, Committee members will markup the following agenda items:
1. S. 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act
2. S.J. Res 28,...
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26th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Date and Time Change for Phantom Traffic Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today that the Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic has been rescheduled from April 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. to April 23, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing pu...
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26th - |
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez Remarks while in Fairbanks, Alaska
- Below are U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez remarks to the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce in Fairbanks, Alaska
Thank you Senator Stevens. No matter the weather, the reception that you and your fellow Alaskans extend to me on my trips here are always warm.
Alaska is well represented in Washington with Senators Stevens and (Lisa) Murkowski and Congressman (Don) Young. They&...
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14th - |
Commerce Committee to Hold Climate Change Field Hearing in Honolulu
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) announces a full Committee field hearing on Climate Change Impacts and the Reponses in Island Communities for March 19, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Islands have unique characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to climate change and variability. Given thi...
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14th - |
U.S. Senate Confirms DOC, Amtrak Nominations and CG, NOAA Promotions
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously approved nominees reported from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation early this morning for positions with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Board of Directors, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The confirmations include:
...
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12th - |
Commerce Committee Postpones NOAA Hearing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Thursday, March 13th Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee oversight hearing on The Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The hearing has been postponed due to a series of votes that are anticipated on Thursday....
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12th - |
Commerce Committee Postpones Hearing to Review the Financial State of the Airline Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has postponed its Thursday, March 13th Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry.
The hearing has been postponed due to a series of votes that are anticipated on Thursday. A new date and time will be announced when available.
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11th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Phantom Traffic Sent Over Telephone Networks
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Phantom Traffic scheduled for April 10, 2008, at 10 a.m.
The hearing will examine concerns regarding traffic over telephone networks that is sent without identifying information used for intercarrier billing purposes.
Phantom Traffic
Full Committee
Date: Thursday,...
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10th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on the Financial State of the Airline Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witnesses for an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry for March 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. The witnesses are listed below.
After posting nearly $35 billion in cumulative net losses from 2001 through 2005, U.S. air carr...
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7th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Full Committee Hearing on International Fisheries
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing for Thursday, April 3, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., on International Fisheries: Management and Enforcement.
The hearing will focus on international fisheries issues, including Regional Fisheries Management Councils (RFMO’s), compliance reporting and enforcement on the high sea...
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7th - |
Senate Passes Bipartisan Children’s Safety Legislation Sponsored by Pryor, Stevens and Inouye
- WASHINGTON D.C. – The United States Senate today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Mark Pryor (D-AR), Senate Commerce Committee Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-AK), Senate Commerce Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to protect children and consumers from dangerous toys and products. Senator Pryor and Vice Chairman Stevens worked together to craft...
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6th - |
Inouye Commends Passage of Consumer Product Safety Bill
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the followed statement today prior to final passage of S. 2663, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act.
“Mr. President, I rise today in support of S. 2663, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. The leadership of Senators Pryor and Stevens i...
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6th - |
current Press Release |
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6th - |
Commerce Committee Reschedules DTV Transition Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation rescheduled today a Full Committee hearing on U.S. readiness for the nationwide transition from analog television broadcasting to digital television (DTV) broadcasting. The hearing is set for Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at 2:30 p.m.
With the transition less than a year away – set for February 17, 2009 &nd...
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6th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Hearing to Review the Financial State of the Airline Industry
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today an Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Financial State of the Airline Industry for March 13, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
After posting nearly $35 billion in cumulative net losses from 2001 through 2005, U.S. air carriers have been able to return to profitability over...
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6th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Rescheduled DOC Deputy Secretary Nomination Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a rescheduled date for a Full Committee Nomination Hearing for John J. Sullivan, nominated to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
Nomination Hearing
Full Committee
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Time: 2:00 p...
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5th - |
Witnesses Announced for GDP Calculation Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced today the witness for an Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on the calculation of the gross domestic product (GDP). The witnesses are listed below.
At this hearing, Rethinking the Gross Domestic Product as a Measurement of National Strength, the subcommittee will examine ...
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5th - |
Stevens Presents Young Alaskan with National 9-1-1 Award
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night during a ceremony sponsored by the E9-1-1 Institute, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, presented four-year old North Pole, Alaska resident Tony Sharpe with a national award for saving his mother’s life.
“This year’s Citizen in Action award goes to a remarkable young...
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5th - |
Stevens Sponsors Bill to make April 2008 “National 9-1-1 Education Month” [ Audio Clip ]
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today spoke in support of the nation’s 9-1-1 system and the need to properly educate our nation’s citizens about its use. During the statement, Senator Stevens told the story of 4-year-old Tony Sharpe, an Alaskan resident who dialed 9-1-1 when his mother lost consciousness during a gall bladder attack, essentially saving her life...
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4th - |
Inouye and Stevens Introduce Seafood Safety Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced a bill that would expand the National Marine Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program (SIP) to ensure that seafood products commercially distributed in the United States are fit for consumption.
“According to t...
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4th - |
Inouye: Americans Must be Confident in the Safety of Their Seafood
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement day after introducing a bill that would help ensure that seafood products commercially distributed in the United States are fit for consumption.
“Mr. President. I rise today to introduce the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act. I am j...
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3rd - |
Stevens’ Statement in Support of Bipartisan CPSC Reform Legislation
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement in support of legislation to improve and reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Vice Chairman Stevens worked with Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) recently to intr...
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3rd - |
Stevens Cosponsors Bill to Assist Rural TV Stations with DTV Transition
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today signed on as a cosponsor of S. 2607. The purpose of the bill is to better facilitate the digital television (DTV) transition for rural Americans. It would do so by making funds available sooner for digital upgrades to low power television stations and tra...
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3rd - |
NOAA Administrator to Testify at Agency Budget Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced an oversight hearing on the fiscal year (FY) 2009 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Subcommittee will hear testimony from Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.), the NOA...
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