Another Letter from Federal Congressman

[Former_Member]

Just an FYI post:
I wrote to all my reps and senators and my rep sent back a form letter with the info on CPSIA. But then he also attached a letter he and a few others sent to Waxman, etc. Here's the letter they sent:

It has come to our attention that the implementation of the Consumer Products Safety
Improvement Act, which was signed into law during the 11oth Congress, may
unexpectedly threaten the vitality of small businesses across the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
The passage of various safety enhancements included in the Consumer Products Safety
Improvement Act was critical in the midst of numerous high-profile toy recalls in 2007.
However, it appears the legislation that passed the House with broad bipartisan support
also created many unintended consequences that will challenge businesses of all sizes and
may force some to cease production.
While we agree it is critically important to ensure the products Americans purchase are
safe and free of hazardous contaminants, it is evident the Consumer Products Safety
Improvement Act needs clarification and refinement. Without modification, this
legislation will irreparably damage valuable Pennsylvania businesses and jeopardize the
jobs of many of our constituents.
In the throes of an increasingly painful economic recession, it is imperative that Congress
works to help businesses operating in good faith comply with these new regulations - a
daunting process many family-owned and operated businesses have found difficult and
expensive. These businesses want nothing more than to maintain production in
compliance with these new regulations. However, particularly smaller operations are
fearful the cost associated with achieving compliance may be too high to remain solvent.
In light of this, we believe the Committee on Energy and Commerce should consider
hosting a hearing on this matter as soon as possible to analyze the economic impact of the
bill's implementation, and determine proper action for Congress to take to ensure the
viability of local businesses and address the plight of the workers they employ.

Charles W. Dent
Member of Congress
Tim Holden
Member of Congress
JIm Gerlach
Member of Congress
Todd Russell Platts
Member of Congress
Joe Pitts
Member of Congress
Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress

[Former_Member]

Very encouraging.

[Former_Member]

I thought it was. At first I was disappointed by the form letter outlining regulations for toys (which I don't make and the letter never said I did), but the attachment made me feel a little better.

[Former_Member]

While I, and I am sure most others here, deeply appreciate any help we can get in getting CPSIA either completely scrapped, or at least greatly amended, I seem to see a recurring theme in most of the letters coming from the very men and women who signed this disasterous law into effect. Many of them go through an explanation of how and why this law came into being, (we probably know more about the law than they do), and then they say, well maybe they should look into it further. These are the very people who signed this law in the first place. Didn't they have any idea what they were doing - didn't they even read it????

[Former_Member]

Well, I do agree with that. I doubt anyone read the bill before signing into law.

[Former_Member]

"These are the very people who signed this law in the first place. Didn't they have any idea what they were doing - didn't they even read it????"

Welcome to the world of how Congress makes laws! Like the old saying goes: There are two things you should never see being made - laws and sausages. I don't think most people in Congress bother to read the full text of ANY bill they pass.