[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
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. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2008

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
Conference Report on H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement 
Act. This measure will improve and reform the Nation's consumer product 
safety system by restructuring and increasing resources for the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has long been underfunded and 
stretched too thin.
  Unfortunately, this past year we learned the extent to which the CPSC 
had failed to protect the American consumer by the high volume of 
recalls, including children's toys and cribs. To help get this agency 
back on track, H.R. 4040 provides a comprehensive response to the toy 
safety crisis by creating the toughest lead standard in the world for 
children's products and helps ensure consumers know when products are 
recalled. This legislation also strengthens the currently underfunded 
and understaffed Consumer Product Safety Commission and significantly 
increases CPSC resources to hire additional staff and for laboratory 
renovations.
  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act also creates new 
authority for the CPSC to immediately share information about dangerous 
products with the public and ensures State public health agencies are 
kept informed. Finally, the bill requires manufacturers to place 
distinguishing marks on products and packaging to aid in recalls of 
products.
  I am confident that this bipartisan bill will take great strides in 
protecting consumers and children.

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