[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 199 (Friday, December 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONSUMER PROTECTION MODERNIZATION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2007

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 4040, 
The Consumer Protection Safety Modernization Act, not just as a strong 
believer in consumer safety protections but also as a proud co-sponsor 
of this legislation. This important piece of legislation helps protect 
Americans from harmful and potentially deadly substances found in our 
consumer products.
  Far too often, Americans are unknowingly confronted with tainted 
products putting their health and lives in danger. Last week alone, the 
Consumer Protection Agency had to recall 300,000 Baby Bead and Race Car 
Toys due to toxic levels of lead paint, 12,000 girls' hooded 
sweatshirts due to a strangulation hazard, and 12,000 Christmas candle 
sets that posed a serious fire hazard. These are only a fraction of the 
products recalled last week due to serious safety violations, and many 
of the products we Americans use are not even adequately screened.
  H.R. 4040 fixes many of the failures in our product safety system by 
requiring that all children's products marketed to children under the 
age of 12 must undergo third party testing and certification, reducing 
the lead standard acceptable in children's toys, raising the penalty 
for breaking consumer product safety laws, prohibiting the sale and 
export of recalled products, and drastically speeding up the Consumer 
Product Safety Commission's ability of recalling hazardous products. In 
addition, not only does H.R. 4040 address the current crisis of 
consumer product safety, but significantly increases the financial 
resources of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to protect us from 
hazardous products in the coming years.
  As we enjoy this holiday season with our loved ones, the American 
people should know that we as members of Congress are continuously 
working to ensure the safety of the products on America's shelves and 
wrapped presents shared during the holiday season.

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