[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4040, CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ACT 
                                OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong 
support of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act (H.R. 4040) 
and to commend Chairman Dingell and the conferees for their hard work 
on this important issue. In a recent letter to the conferees, I joined 
several other members in support of this bill and I am pleased that 
Congress is moving forward on this legislation that will help ensure 
the safety of America's children and consumers.
  According to a leading consumer rights group, more than 45 million 
toys and children's products were recalled because of unsafe toxins and 
choking hazards in 2007. Data for 2008 shows that there have been 22 
percent more recalls in the first half of this year as compared to the 
same period in 2007. Toy safety, which has been called ``last year's 
problem'' by the toy industry, is still very much an urgent, current 
challenge. Congress must act to ensure that the products and toys our 
children are exposed to are free of toxins and hazards.
  The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act takes bold measures to 
enhance the safety of products available to our children. This 
legislation takes a strong stand against destructive oil industry 
interests by banning toxic phthalates in children's toys. Studies 
indicate that exposure to phthalates in childhood increases the risk of 
cancer as an adult. It mandates third-party testing and certification 
for certain children's toys and materials, which were previously 
voluntary. The bill also has new protections for whistleblowers that 
will help ensure consumer safety by making it easier for employees to 
alert the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about possible 
hazards before products reach the public.
  Part of the toy safety problem has been the lack of capacity of the 
CPSC. The CPSC has been underfunded and inadequately equipped to ensure 
the safety of the products available to children. Staff levels at CPSC 
are currently less than half of 1980 levels. The Consumer Product 
Safety Modernization Act bolsters CPSC capacity by increasing funding 
and staffing for the agency, a significant step toward ensuring safety 
for our children. Also, by banning industry-sponsored travel by CPSC 
Commissioners and staff and restoring the five-member commission, the 
legislation prevents potential conflicts of interest that may 
jeopardize toy safety.
  It is unacceptable for parents to have to worry about toys harming 
their children. The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act is timely 
and targeted bipartisan legislation that takes significant steps to 
ensure that America's children are kept safe from harmful toxins in 
their toys. I urge my colleagues to support the Consumer Product Safety 
Modernization Act and give this bill my full support.

                          ____________________