Congress Passes Bono Mack Bill to Protect American Consumers, American Jobs

Statement

With overwhelming bipartisan support, the U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) to protect American consumers and American jobs and reduce onerous regulations on U.S. businesses. The House voted 419-2 to adopt H.R. 2715, a bill giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission greater authority and discretion in enforcing consumer product safety laws. Shortly afterward, the Senate unanimously approved the legislation as well. It now goes to President Obama for his signature.

As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, Congresswoman Bono Mack worked closely with Rep. G. K. Butterfield, a North Carolina Democrat, and Rep. Henry Waxman, a California Democrat, to make important and necessary modifications to the flawed Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). While well intentioned and approved by a near unanimous vote in Congress, the law created a series of unintended consequences forcing small businesses to close their doors as a result of the law's rigid restrictions and costly regulations.

The bill approved by both the House and Senate makes important strides toward cleaning up the regulatory problems created by passage of CPSIA, giving the Consumer Product Safety Commission the flexibility it needs to regulate based on "risk". The bill's changes will significantly reduce the burdens imposed on U.S. on businesses while maintaining strong protections for children.

"For thousands of American businesses, which strive to be responsible, "let's do what's best for consumers,' CPSIA has taken an inordinate amount of their time trying to understand how each new regulation and standard will affect them. Unfortunately, many have gone out of business, attributing their demise to the burdens of compliance," said Bono Mack. "Today, we are striking a very careful balance. As a nation, we simply cannot afford to lose jobs or stifle innovation because of questionable regulations. But we also have an obligation to make certain that our children's toys remain safe. This bill is a win for everyone. It's good for American consumers and American businesses and will save American jobs. I urge the President to sign this important and time-sensitive legislation into law."

Source