WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Federation of America, The National Consumers League, and 29 other stakeholders sent a letter to members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation opposing the confirmation of Brien Lorenze and Karen Sessions to serve as commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The committee is scheduled to vote on the nominations tomorrow.
“Product safety hazards have no partisan leanings, and neither should the Commission tasked with addressing them,” the letter states.
In 1972, Congress established the CPSC as an independent federal agency led by five bipartisan commissioners exclusively charged with overseeing the safety of household consumer products. Since then, members of Congress from both parties have supported the role of an independent, nonpartisan CPSC.
“Historically, the agency's independence has buffered the commissioners from political pressure from the White House and large donors," the letter continues. “This has ensured that the agency has acted with transparency and a diversity of views, which has benefited the American people. Further, the presence of minority commissioners provided a layer of oversight and accountability on CPSC actions.”
