The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing to confirm the nominations of Robert S. Adler and Anne M. Northup, to be a commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
“The two CPSC nominees—Robert Adler and Anne Northup—recognize the vital role the agency plays in protecting the public from product safety risks. If confirmed, I expect them both to execute the CPSC’s responsibilities with the diligence the American consumer deserves,” said Senator Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance.
Commented Adler, “As I contemplate a return to the CPSC, I am well aware that the product safety challenges are not necessarily the same as when I left. To pick just one example, I note that imported products now present far more serious problems than in years past.” Adler continued, “In fact, as I understand it, roughly 85 percent of current CPSC recalls involve imported products. Nor is the CPSC the same agency that I left. It’s gone through some turbulent times and regrettably has emerged as a far smaller agency–though with the same large mandate.”
Added Northup, “I have served in the Kentucky Legislature for nine years and then in Congress for ten years and in all those years I felt that my degree in economics and my professional work was only half of what I brought to each challenge. The other part was being the mother of six children.” Northup continued, “When our children were young, they only received toys twice a year: on their birthdays and Christmas and even that was a financial challenge. I worried about what my children needed and how I was going to pay for it. It never occurred to me that I should also worry about the safety of the toy.” Northup concluded, “I had never heard of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but I had faith in the American system of protection. Families need to have faith in the system again. They have to be able to count on us.”
