Promising New letter to CPSC from Congressman Dingell

[CeciLeibovitz]

The author of the original Consumer Product Safety Act has written to the CPSC asking for answers to specific questions about CPSIA problems. Says he intends to work with his colleagues in the House and Sentate to resolve these issues.
More here-
http://tinyurl.com/ao32z9

[Former_Member]

Oh my goodness--- it looks as if someone has a grasp of the dire consequences....

[Former_Member]

The link you provide about the history between these 2 politicans seems to be a mirror image of the Pelosi and Nord struggle.
With that said, I would have to agree that those are some great questions that Dingell poses. Hopefully the CPSIA's responses will be as public as that letter at http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi15_dingell/090305CPSC.shtml is.

Perhaps we should be sending those same questions with the Congress or the House of Represenatives subsituted for CPSC to our elected officals. They set the time tables not the CPSC in the final version of the law that they voted on, so why are they asking the agency that they appointed to monitor and implyment the law that they wrote what the problem is?

[Former_Member]

There are currently 18 cosponsors to the H.R. 968 that sits in Committee right now:
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 2/26/2009
Rep Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD-6] - 2/10/2009
Rep Coble, Howard [NC-6] - 3/2/2009
Rep Cooper, Jim [TN-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 3/3/2009
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 2/23/2009
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 3/3/2009
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] - 2/26/2009
Rep Linder, John [GA-7] - 2/13/2009
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [MO-9] - 2/25/2009
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 2/23/2009
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 2/11/2009
Rep Pitts, Joseph R. [PA-16] - 2/12/2009
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 2/26/2009
Rep Smith, Adrian [NE-3] - 2/25/2009
Rep Westmoreland, Lynn A. [GA-3] - 2/25/2009

Steps to be taken to really get that "letter" moving in the right direction would be (and make sure you mention H.R.968 as well)...

Quote:
CPSIA – The Cancelled Hearings, What to Do
Having had a few hours to mull the cancellation of the hearings on CPSIA by the Subcommittee on Regulations and Healthcare of the House Committee on Small Business, I conclude that we need to flex our muscles if we want to stay in the game. This shameful display of partisan politics (lest we call it some form of “religious” zeal) is a real demonstration of the tyranny that confronts us. It’s all the more shocking that it took place at the supposedly non-partisan House Committee on Small Business – they should be EMBARRASSED (shamed, really). To me, it’s impossible to deny that our voices are being INTENTIONALLY kept off the record, and worse still, powerful people are attempting to undermine YOU with slander and marginalization. We CANNOT allow this to go on.

What we need to do is to start calling the offices of the Small Business Committee (202-225-4038, ask for Erik Lieberman and leave a message if necessary on his voicemail) to inquire about why the hearings on the CPSIA were cancelled. We should tell them that the law is killing our small businesses, that we cannot comply with it, that it’s too complex and unrelated to safety risks and needs to be changed. Tell them that this is not all about crafters and dirt bikes – it’s about American small businesses trying to survive in a Depression! The hearings were essential to air out these issues. Ask for a response.

You should feel free to call more than once. Start with a call on Friday, and then call again next week. Get an answer. Make them listen to you. It turns out that you matter!

You may also call other members of this Committee to express your dismay. You can see the committee list at http://www.house.gov/smbiz/democrats/members.htm. If you happen to live in the district of one of the members of the Committee or better yet, one of the Subcommittee members (http://www.house.gov/smbiz/democrats/subcommittees.htm), please scream even louder. We need to be heard, REALLY HEARD.

You should get everyone at your company, everyone in your family, all your friends, customers, suppliers, neighbors, fraternity brothers, your minister and the guy who sells you stamps at the Post Office, to call about this issue. We need to BURN their phone lines over the CPSIA.

We got this far by demanding to be heard, as a group. It’s time to turn on the jets and go harder now. Go get ‘em, let them hear your voice!!!

Rick "

[Former_Member]

crap! I hit the wrong key --- 16 NOT 18. sorry.

[CeciLeibovitz]

I think sending the questions to our elected officials is a great idea. Some people are even planning to send answers to the questions, to both the CPSC and Dingell (as well as calling Dingell's office to thank him for this). Can't hurt!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Good grief!!! Wouldn't you have thought that these bozos would have done a little investigation before they wrote this stupid law. Let's write a law to apease the wackos who give us lots of money for our campaigns, then lets tell the understaffed CPSC to "implement" it in 6 mos. and we can pat outselves on the back for doing the peoples work! Jeesh, I hope everyone remembers these idiots when you vote the next time.

[Former_Member]

paperdreams, thanks for the links. They were both very interesting reads! I'll be busy typing this weekend!

[Former_Member]

I'll be referencing this letter- and attaching it- as I send my weekly missives to my elected officials. I think it's a herd mentality with them-- no one is willing to do anything unless someone has already started doing something...

[Superflykidz]

marking

[HeatherJonesStudio]

marking

[Former_Member]

Marking for later...calling today!

[Former_Member]

That is very nice to hear...I really hope it's genuine!

[Former_Member]

Marking

[Former_Member]

Marking

[chatnoirstudios]

marking

[Former_Member]

Further proof that there's action in Washington: I had written to my Senator a few weeks back (we still only have the one - good thing she's doing a good job!); today, I received this e-mail from her - I apologize for the length, but wanted y'all to see that one of the original proponents of the bill is working hard to reign in the ridiculousnous of what it's become.

Dear Jennine:

Thank you for taking the time to write me about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue, and I understand your concern.

As you may know, I supported the CPSIA. This law will protect kids and it is particularly important to me, since a Minnesota four-year-old died in 2007 from swallowing a charm made almost entirely of lead. At the same time, with legislation as detailed and sweeping as the CPSIA, certain clarifications and adjustments need to be made, especially as many small manufacturers, retailers, second-hand stores -- as well as ATV, bicycle and motocross enthusiasts -- are struggling to understand the practical and legal impact of this law. To that end, I have repeatedly urged the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) -- the agency in charge of implementing the CPSIA -- to issue pragmatic, common sense regulations that both ensure children’s safety and spare countless businesses and consumers unnecessary disruption. Congress gave the CPSC the power to do just that, and I remain disappointed with the agency’s adherence to a rigid interpretation of this law.

It was never Congress’s intent to pass an inflexible law totally isolated from real world considerations; but that’s how the CPSC appears to be interpreting this law. Please note that along with a number of others Senators, I have called for a change of leadership at the CPSC so that this law can be implemented in common sense and practical ways that are consistent with the intent of Congress. I will continue to fight hard to make sure this happens.

Attached is a recent letter that I wrote to Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord on CPSIA implementation, which includes many of the concerns Minnesotans have raised. Please be assured that I will continue to push on your behalf for a reasonable implementation of the law at the CPSC as well as in Congress.

Again, thank you for contacting me. One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me. I am here in our nation’s capital to do the public’s business and to serve the people of our state. With that in mind, please do not hesitate to contact me again about matters of concern to you.

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

[Former_Member]

Being computer 'stunted', I don't know how to post the .pdf that should accompany that - if anyone else does, I can send you the e-mail.

[Former_Member]

This is the best new I have heard in forever.....

Please let them review the law and fix it.....

[Former_Member]

Nice to know that there are a few brain cells firing in Washington.

[Former_Member]

I find Klobuchar's letter kind of frustrating. The problems with the law are not with the CPSC. They were NOT given discretion to exercise risk assessment. The law actually forbids them to exempt any product on the basis of risk assessment. They can only issue exemptions, legally, on the basis of rigourous scientific testing proving that the item has no lead in it. Rather than point fingers at the agency which is following the law Congress wrote, Klobuchar needs to be getting the committee to consider the reform bills.

[PENultimateLeotards]

I don't know. It sounds like Amy Klobuchar is talking in circles, just like a lot of other Congressmen.

"It was not the INTENTION of the law to put small business into bankruptcy."

The road to hell and bankruptcy is paved with good intentions.

[Former_Member]

In Rep. Dingle's letter he asks ten questions. Rick Woldenberg (love that guy) suggests this is a good time to contact him and answer those questions from our perspective, whether we be sellers, buyers, makers, or users of affected products.
In order to avoid overwhelming the office, he has established a contact address, and he would like to compile all the responses and deliver them to Dingell's office. This is a great opportunity to be productive and proactive and get our voices heard. Send your comments for Dingell here:
commentsfordingell@cox.net
More here.
http://learningresourcesinc.blogspot.com/2009/03/cpsia-address-for-responses-to-dingell.html

[Former_Member]

Thanks, DeputyHeadmistress, for the email for Rep. Dingell.

[Former_Member]

DeputyHeadmistress says:
I find Klobuchar's letter kind of frustrating. The problems with the law are not with the CPSC. They were NOT given discretion to exercise risk assessment. The law actually forbids them to exempt any product on the basis of risk assessment. They can only issue exemptions, legally, on the basis of rigourous scientific testing proving that the item has no lead in it. Rather than point fingers at the agency which is following the law Congress wrote, Klobuchar needs to be getting the committee to consider the reform bills.

* * * * *

I agree. She sounds more like part of the problem than the solution.