[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5833-H5835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PANDEMIC EFFECTS ON HOME SAFETY AND TOURISM ACT
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 8121) to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to
study the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on injuries and deaths
associated with consumer products, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8121
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Pandemic
Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COVID-19 HOME SAFETY
Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Study and report on the effect of the COVID-19 public health
emergency on injuries and deaths from consumer products.
TITLE II--PROTECTING TOURISM IN THE UNITED STATES
Sec. 201. Short title.
Sec. 202. Study and report on effects of COVID-19 pandemic on travel
and tourism industry in United States.
TITLE I--COVID-19 HOME SAFETY
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``COVID-19 Home Safety
Act''.
SEC. 102. STUDY AND REPORT ON THE EFFECT OF THE COVID-19
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ON INJURIES AND DEATHS
FROM CONSUMER PRODUCTS.
(a) COVID-19 Report Required.--Not later than 3 months
after the date of enactment of this section and every 3
months thereafter for the duration of the COVID-19 public
health emergency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission
shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly
available, a report on the effect of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on injuries and deaths from consumer
products.
(b) Contents of Report.--The report shall include the
following:
(1) Relevant data and statistics from--
(A) the data sources of the Commission;
(B) other appropriate agencies;
(C) media reports;
(D) poison control centers, to the extent practical; and
(E) any other relevant data sources.
(2) An identification of trends in injuries and deaths from
consumer products, comparing data from representative time
periods before and during the COVID-19 public health
emergency.
(3) An identification of subpopulations that have
experienced elevated risk of injury or death from consumer
products during the COVID-19 public health emergency, such as
minorities, infants, people with disabilities, children, or
the elderly.
(4) An identification of where most injuries or deaths from
consumer products during the COVID-19 public health emergency
are taking place, such as the type of building or outdoor
environment.
(5) A specification about whether consumer products
associated with a substantial number of injuries or deaths
during the COVID-19 public health emergency are--
(A) under recall;
(B) subject to a voluntary consumer product safety
standard; or
(C) subject to a mandatory consumer product safety
standard.
(6) An identification of emerging consumer products that
are posing new risks to consumers.
(c) COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Defined.--The term
``COVID-19 public health emergency'' means a public health
emergency declared pursuant to section 319 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) as a result of confirmed
cases of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including any
renewal thereof.
TITLE II--PROTECTING TOURISM IN THE UNITED STATES
SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Protecting Tourism in the
United States Act''.
SEC. 202. STUDY AND REPORT ON EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON
TRAVEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY IN UNITED STATES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with
the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the
head of any other Federal agency the Secretary considers
appropriate, shall complete a study on the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry,
including various segments of the travel and tourism
industry, such as domestic, international, leisure, business,
conventions, meetings, and events.
(b) Matters for Consideration.--In conducting the study
required by subsection (a) and the interim study required by
subsection (e)(1), the Secretary shall consider--
(1) changes in employment rates in the travel and tourism
industry during the pandemic period;
(2) changes in revenues of businesses in the travel and
tourism industry during the pandemic period;
(3) changes in employment and sales in industries related
to the travel and tourism industry, and changes in
contributions of the travel and tourism industry to such
related industries, during the pandemic period;
[[Page H5834]]
(4) the effects attributable to the changes described in
paragraphs (1) through (3) in the travel and tourism industry
and such related industries on the overall economy of the
United States during the pandemic period and the projected
effects of such changes on the overall economy of the United
States following the pandemic period; and
(5) any additional matters the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(c) Consultation and Public Comment.--In conducting the
study required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall--
(1) consult with representatives of--
(A) the small business sector;
(B) the restaurant or food service sector;
(C) the hotel and alternative accommodations sector;
(D) the attractions or recreations sector;
(E) the travel distribution services sector;
(F) destination marketing organizations;
(G) State tourism offices; and
(H) the passenger air, railroad, and rental car sectors;
and
(2) provide an opportunity for public comment and advice
relevant to conducting the study.
(d) Report to Congress.--Not later than 6 months after the
date on which the study required by subsection (a) is
completed, the Secretary, in consultation with the United
States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and the head of any
other Federal agency the Secretary considers appropriate,
shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly
available on the website of the Department of Commerce, a
report that contains--
(1) the results of such study; and
(2) policy recommendations for promoting and assisting the
travel and tourism industry.
(e) Interim Study and Report.--Not later than 3 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, after
consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the United
States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, shall--
(1) complete an interim study, which shall be based on data
available at the time when the study is conducted and provide
a framework for the study required by subsection (a), on the
effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (as of such time) on the
travel and tourism industry, including various segments of
the travel and tourism industry, such as domestic,
international, leisure, business, conventions, meetings, and
events; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and make publicly
available on the website of the Department of Commerce, an
interim report that contains the results of the interim study
required by paragraph (1).
(f) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``pandemic period'' has the meaning given the
term ``emergency period'' in section 1135(g)(1)(B) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b-5(g)(1)(B)), excluding
any portion of such period after the date that is 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act;
(2) the term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Commerce;
and
(3) the term ``travel and tourism industry'' means the
travel and tourism industry in the United States.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Pallone) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
General Leave
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 8121.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New Jersey?
There was no objection.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 8121. I want to begin
by thanking Representatives Cardenas and Davis for their leadership on
the bill, the Pandemic Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act. This
bill advanced out of the Energy and Commerce Committee by a voice vote.
With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to spend more time at home and
finding new indoor and outdoor activities suitable for social
distancing, it is critically important that we keep track of any new
trends in injuries and deaths that might be occurring.
This bill will require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to
provide quarterly updates to the American public regarding the effects
of COVID-19 on home safety, including any emerging threats from either
new products or new habits from working and playing at home. This
report will assemble data from a variety of sources, including media
reports and poison control centers, in addition to the CPSC's
traditional data sources.
The bill will also identify communities or groups that may be
disproportionately affected so that we can better target efforts to
protect those communities. We already know children are particularly
vulnerable during these times as parents struggle to work remotely and
supervise children at the same time. For example, there have been
increased reports of accidental poisonings and fractures related to
bicycle and trampoline usage. It is important to identify other groups
that may also be vulnerable.
I want to thank Representatives Castor and Upton for introducing
another bill, the Protecting Tourism in the United States Act, which
was incorporated in H.R. 8121 during the committee's consideration of
the bill.
Their legislation will rebuild the tourism and travel industry, which
has struggled under the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. All sectors of
the travel industry have been particularly hard hit, including hotels,
restaurants, attractions, and passenger air, rail, and rental car
sectors.
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct a detailed
study and report to Congress on the effects of the pandemic on the
tourism industry, including on jobs and revenue, so that we will know
how to best direct assistance to the 16 million American workers and
families who rely on the jobs that the travel industry supports.
Again, I thank Ranking Member Walden and Subcommittee Ranking Member
Rodgers for working with us to move this bill through the Energy and
Commerce Committee. I also commend our Subcommittee Chair Schakowsky
for her relentless commitment to fighting for consumers, and
particularly for seniors, I want to say.
Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8121, the Pandemic Effects on
Home Safety and Tourism Act.
I thank Representatives Cardenas and Davis for their leadership and
effort on this bill to protect consumers. I also thank Ranking Member
Upton and Chairman Castor, as their legislation to promote and assist
the recovery of our tourism industry was adopted as part of this bill;
as well as Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers and Chair Schakowsky along
with, obviously, Chairman Pallone.
The Pandemic Effects on Home Safety and Tourism Act would direct the
Consumer Product Safety Commission to report and make available to the
public information about injuries and deaths from consumer products
during the COVID-19 pandemic. This would provide Americans with updates
on trends of potentially hazardous products that have entered the
marketplace during this critical time.
In addition to studying the trends of injuries, the bill would
support further research on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the
U.S. travel and tourism industries. Many communities, particularly
rural communities like those in my district, rely on tourism. We must
have the information necessary to promote and assist the travel and
tourism industry as we emerge from this devastating pandemic.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).
Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the authors of this legislation,
Representatives Cardenas and Davis.
As the COVID-19 pandemic worsens this winter, we must protect
Americans who are spending more time in their homes. The pandemic has
magnified risks associated with household consumer products. Children
are particularly vulnerable, especially as parents are juggling their
children while working from home.
Unsupervised children face greater risks from bikes, scooters,
trampolines, and pools. Calls to the poison control centers for
children ingesting hand sanitizer have increased this year as well.
This legislation will direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission
to study and report on injuries and deaths that are associated with
consumer products during the pandemic. It will ensure Americans have
up-to-date information about risks to safety as the pandemic continues.
We will learn
[[Page H5835]]
about emergency safety threats more quickly so that action can actually
be taken to protect consumers.
This legislation also deals with the issues that are being faced
right now by the travel industry. This legislation directs the
Department of Commerce to study and report to Congress on the impact of
the pandemic on travel and tourism.
As Americans stay in their homes to protect themselves, travel and
tourism have plummeted. The industry is an important part of our
national economy, and over 15.7 million Americans work in the travel
and tourism industries. These jobs are vital to many local communities.
The decline of travel and tourism has devastated many other parts of
the economy. Live events, the arts, hotels, and restaurants have all
felt the effect. We must understand the full impact of the pandemic on
the travel and tourism industry so that we can help the industry
recover and come back strong.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), who has put so much work into this piece
of legislation and so many others.
Mr. RODNEY DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Pallone
and Ranking Member Walden for their leadership on this very important
piece of legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the Energy and Commerce Committee staff for
working with us in a very bipartisan way to make sure that this bill
came to the floor today with such bipartisan consensus.
I also thank my colleague and my fellow original cosponsor of this
bill, Congressman Cardenas from California, the vice chair of the House
Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
His leadership in introducing this bill was crucial, and I really
appreciate him allowing me to be the bipartisan lead cosponsor.
As my colleagues before me have stated so eloquently, the COVID-19
pandemic has truly changed the world as we know it, and that includes
many of our daily routines. We don't have to look much farther than the
House floor to see that that has happened.
Stay-at-home orders and COVID-19 mitigation efforts mean families and
individuals are obviously spending more time at home. And when not--
like us--on Zoom calls, we need to be sure that, for the products that
are in our homes, we understand the dangers that may exist for young
children running around while parents are working to ensure that their
jobs continue.
This is a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation. As was said,
it is going to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study
the effects of COVID-19 on families and the safety of our families and
children.
I ask that my colleagues remind themselves that this is another
instance of true bipartisanship in a very polarized world that we all
live in and to support this bill.
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for the bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friends on both sides of the
aisle and our terrific staffs for their great work on these 16 pieces
of legislation that we brought forward to the House floor from the
Energy and Commerce Committee.
I urge passage of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8121, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to require
the Consumer Product Safety Commission to study the effect of the
COVID-19 pandemic on injuries and deaths associated with consumer
products and to direct the Secretary of Commerce to study and report on
the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry
in the United States.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________