WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, and National Consumers League hosted Ranking Member, Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and Senator Richard Blumenthal yesterday to discuss a draft budget proposal that seeks to eliminate the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Brett Horn of Charlie’s House and Linda Kaiser of Parents for Window Blind Safety provided statements regarding their work with the CPSC after their children were killed from consumer product-related injuries.
“The Trump Administration’s proposal to gut the capability and independence of the CSPC is not only illegal; it is extremely dangerous and will directly lead to the kind of deaths and injuries that this critical agency has helped prevent,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ranking Member of the House Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee. “Since its inception, this small but mighty agency has successfully safeguarded American families, and in particular infants, children, and older Americans from dangerous products and helped ensure Americans know the products they buy are safe. I thank the Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, and the National Consumers League for hosting this event shining a light on yet another proposal from this Administration that will harm the American people.”
“The Trump Administration is taking a sledgehammer to the federal government’s only independent commission that creates and enforces product safety standards and keeps the public informed about hazardous goods,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “With e-commerce on the rise and more imported goods on the market than ever, the Trump Administration’s reckless elimination of the Consumer Product Safety Commission will leave Americans vulnerable to potentially unsafe, counterfeit goods. Families deserve peace of mind knowing that the products they bring into their homes are safe, and families deserve a well-resourced, fully funded CPSC.”
“The CPSC is a small agency who is a rare example of how government can actually be efficient and bipartisan,” said Brett Horn, Founder of Charlie’s House. “They perform an essential service to US citizens, ensuring the products in our home are safe, particularly in today’s market where consumers are purchasing high numbers of unregulated products online and from overseas. As a dad who lost his son to a product which should have never been sold in the US, the CPSC should be protected.”
“As someone who has dedicated over 20 years to advocating for product safety across the globe, I can confidently say that the CPSC has the most robust data collection system in the world. The CPSC uses field agents to gather firsthand evidence, ensuring accurate and thorough investigations. Merging this independent agency into HHS under proposed budget cuts would not only jeopardize American families’ safety but could also unleash a tidal wave of safety failures that endangers lives and erodes trust in global safety standards,” said Linda Kaiser, Founder of Parents for Window Blind Safety.
“America first shouldn’t put product safety last,” said Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Product Safety & Consumer Protection at the National Consumers League. “Let’s be clear, the Trump administration’s proposal would eradicate – not reorganize – eradicate our nation’s governance of household product safety. The Trump administration must abandon this dangerous proposal and ensure that the CPSC has the appropriate tools, resources, and personnel necessary to carry out its life saving mission.”
“The CPSC has saved countless lives by making sure the products in our homes, in our children’s hands, and on store shelves are safe,” said Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety at Consumer Federation of America. “Dismantling it would leave American families and children vulnerable, and it will strip away decades of progress in protecting the public from preventable harm. The consequences will be measured in preventable injuries, hospitalizations, and lives lost.”
“The CPSC has been an independent, bipartisan, and cost-effective consumer safety watchdog for over 50 years,” said Gabe Knight, Senior Policy Analyst at Consumer Reports. “It has the experience and expert staff to protect the public, and importantly, it was specifically charged by Congress with the mission of protecting the public against unreasonable risks of injury or death from consumer products. Consumer Reports strongly urges Congress to protect the CPSC, and we welcome all consumers to join us in telling their representatives that this terrible idea floated by the White House must be abandoned right away.”