by Matthew Hay Brown
After a summer of toy recalls, the acting head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is now the latest member of the Bush administration to stumble into the crosshairs of congressional Democrats.
A week after acting Chairwoman Nancy Nord told a Senate committee that a Democratic proposal to expand her agency "could have the unintended consequence of hampering, rather than furthering, consumer product safety," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called today for her resignation.
"Any commission chair who does not, in the face of the facts that are so clear, say we don’t need any more authority or any more resources to do our job, does not understand the gravity of the situation," Pelosi said.
Pelosi and other Democrats have criticized the administration’s response to the recalls last summer of Thomas the Tank Engine accessories and other toys tainted with lead paint.
"There is only one inspector charged with testing toys to make sure that they are safe for our children," Pelosi told reporters. "There are toys being sold in our stores now that are untested and unsafe."
The White House has criticized parts of a bill approved today by the Senate Commerce Committee that would expand the agency’s funding and authority while banning lead paint from toys altogether.
Among the administration’s objections: a provision that would expand the maximum penalty a jury could award in a consumer product case from $1.25 million to $100 million, and another that would delegate some enforcement authority to the states' attorneys general.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters today that the administration supports "modernizing and improving" the agency. She noted that President Bush had established a working group headed by Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt to study the recalls and develop an action plan by mid-November.
"We want to work with Congress on a collaborative effort," Perino said. "This wasn’t about the price tag; this was about a couple of the policies that are within a particular bill ... On two of those provisions regarding establishment of 50 different jurisdictions to be able to look into these matters, we think that that would be cumbersome and actually not serve people … who are worried about [their] children."
Perino said the action plan could include proposals for more inspectors.
"That certainly could be included in what Secretary Leavitt comes back with," she said. "I’d like to not prejudice his report and let him come back in mid-November. …Obviously, the toy situation was very concerning, especially for all the parents out there, and also for the business community, who has to really buckle down and make sure that the products that they’re making – having manufactured overseas – are going to be safe for consumers all over the world."
Pelosi confessed some familiarity with the Thomas the Tank Engine line.
"This really breaks my heart because with five grandsons I have Thomas the Train toys practically set up across the country," she said.
"Some of the Thomas the Train toys – not all, but some – are dangerous to the health of our children. And I say not all, but some. Why should it be up to the moms and dads to be able to figure that out? Is it too much to expect the government to live up to its responsibility to protect our children?"
Matthew Hay Brown is congressional correspondent for the Baltimore Sun, a Tribune Co. newspaper.
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Comments
"GOOD SHOT NANCY"
AS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION SITS QUIET, AND SANTA CONTEMPLATES SUICIDE AS HE HAS NO TOYS FOR TOTS THIS YEAR, THE SPEAKER IS SHOOTING STRAIGHT.
NOT TWO MONTHS AGO AND ARCHIVES DON'T LIE. THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WAS CLOSING DOWN 14 FDA OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHY? SO THERE IS NO PAPER TRAIL, SO THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART. AMERICA JUST GOT SOME BAD GOODS.
NO WE GOT WHAT THEY WANTED US TO GET. THE TRASH OF TRASH. THE SKIN DISEASES THAT MANIFEST IN A MARSHALL LAW DAY BECAUSE OF ITS SPREADING ACROSS AMERICA.
THE FDA DIRECTOR SHOULD BE FIRED, OR HELD ACCOUNTABLE. PUT HER ON TRIAL, LET HER TELL CONGRESS WHY IT WAS SO IMPERATIVE TO CLOSE DOWN CDC OFFICES, AND FDA OFFICES ACROSS AMERICA.
HOMELAND SECURITY MOVE AS THE SECRETARY DOESN'T DEEM IT NECESSARY FOR SAFETY IN THIS COUNTRY.
SO WHAT TOY WILL YOU BE BUYING YOUR CHILD IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS? CHINA, AMERICA, HECHO IN MEXICO AKA CHINA?
SO LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
IMPEACHMENT IS THE KEY TO OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND TRANQUILITY IN AMERICA. OTHERWISE ITS AS CHERTOF AKA "the secretary" deems necessary. AND WE ALL KNOW FROM KATRINA AND SAN DIEGO, FEMA IS NOT COMING, NOR IS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Posted by: Roger Morris | October 30, 2007 7:05 PM
"GOOD SHOT NANCY"
AS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION SITS QUIET, AND SANTA CONTEMPLATES SUICIDE AS HE HAS NO TOYS FOR TOTS THIS YEAR, THE SPEAKER IS SHOOTING STRAIGHT.
NOT TWO MONTHS AGO AND ARCHIVES DON'T LIE. THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WAS CLOSING DOWN 14 FDA OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
WHY? SO THERE IS NO PAPER TRAIL, SO THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART. AMERICA JUST GOT SOME BAD GOODS.
NO WE GOT WHAT THEY WANTED US TO GET. THE TRASH OF TRASH. THE SKIN DISEASES THAT MANIFEST IN A MARSHALL LAW DAY BECAUSE OF ITS SPREADING ACROSS AMERICA.
THE FDA DIRECTOR SHOULD BE FIRED, OR HELD ACCOUNTABLE. PUT HER ON TRIAL, LET HER TELL CONGRESS WHY IT WAS SO IMPERATIVE TO CLOSE DOWN CDC OFFICES, AND FDA OFFICES ACROSS AMERICA.
HOMELAND SECURITY MOVE AS THE SECRETARY DOESN'T DEEM IT NECESSARY FOR SAFETY IN THIS COUNTRY.
SO WHAT TOY WILL YOU BE BUYING YOUR CHILD IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS? CHINA, AMERICA, HECHO IN MEXICO AKA CHINA?
SO LONG LIVE NANCY PELOSI!
IMPEACHMENT IS THE KEY TO OUR HEALTH, WEALTH AND TRANQUILITY IN AMERICA. OTHERWISE ITS AS CHERTOF AKA "the secretary" deems necessary. AND WE ALL KNOW FROM KATRINA AND SAN DIEGO, FEMA IS NOT COMING, NOR IS THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
Posted by: Roger Morris | October 30, 2007 7:09 PM
This is what we've come to. Protect our helpless children from Thomas the Train toys.Glad the Dems have that majority to wield power.They really know what to focus on. Bring me the head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission! Yeah!
Posted by: Wm Blair | October 30, 2007 7:26 PM
Hmmm...what is that all about? Someone in government not wanting to increase their budget and adding people to oversee imports? What are they trying to hide now?
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael O. Leavitt to study the recalls and develop an action plan by mid-November.
Isn't this a little late for people trying to buy holiday gifts? What credentials does Mike Leavitt have to run this dept?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 30, 2007 7:40 PM
So no responsibility should fall on the toy manufacturers? I would think that they would insure their products are safe for children around the world. I'm sure that they really don't care else they would still make these toys in America.
Posted by: S. Braden | October 30, 2007 8:00 PM
When are the American people, especially the voters in California going to impeach Polosi?
Posted by: Ray Gorak | October 30, 2007 9:03 PM
Pelosi needs to resign. She is not a leader, never will be. Worse Speaker of the House that this nation has ever had.
Posted by: Darkwater | October 30, 2007 9:10 PM
Typical Democratic response. Lets raise the lawsuit level. Thats the answer to every problem throw more money at it. The CEO and all the big shots will still make millions. The corporatins will just lay more people off to pay for the lawsuits. How about stopping all Chineese Imports when we find products not to our standards. Let the Chineese pay for the inspections. Why should tax payers pay for another level of government. They are the ones putting the lead in the paint not us.
Posted by: Arnie | October 30, 2007 9:25 PM
Speaker Nancy is right, Nord needs to get be canned right away.
Nancy Nord is just another one of the useless, unqualified robot Republican Bush cronies like Michael "Heckova job" Brown was.
Posted by: John E | October 30, 2007 9:36 PM
Geez, I knew Nancy "Ambassador to Syria" Pelosi wanted 535 congress critters to conduct this nation's foreign policy, but am surprised she now wants everybody to be in charge of consumer protection. "Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth," as they say.
And is there any photo opportunity for which she won't use children as a prop?
Somebody needs to resign, all right.
Posted by: Danaidh | October 30, 2007 10:18 PM
Another conservative sham up it smoke. The idea that corporations can police themselves instead of regulating them, & look where that's gotten us. Millions of toys & items for children that are recalled because they are making them sick, injuring, or killing them. And the response from this regime is not to expand any powers the safety commission already sorely lacks.
The irony of all this is most of these dangerous toys are manufactured in a communist country.
I propose SCHIP be expanded to cover all children. Since this regime doesn't care about protecting children one way, may as well help them another way after they get hurt.
Posted by: RomanB | October 30, 2007 11:22 PM
Roman, you trust the government to police what is right and what is wrong? You live in the Chicago area? You think Boy Stroger, Daley, Blablooeyavich, and the rest of the corrupt Democratic party is more worthy than any corporation?
Oooops, my bad. Of course you think that, you're part of the brain dead Kook Left.
Posted by: John D | October 30, 2007 11:38 PM
Let my kookie dead brain think about this. "A republican government that defends it's innaction when American children are getting sick with toys painted with lead paint...
Ooops, my mind ain't where it's at.
Maibe me shouldntz hve plyaded wthe tyos wiht lead.
Posted by: RomanB | October 31, 2007 8:28 AM
Johny D,
You blessed us with that deranged rant and left out my favorite word you use, Crooked County.
PS if you don't think government can police right and wrong does that mean you think we should have corporate police and court systems? Man your dumb.
Posted by: janet | October 31, 2007 9:48 AM
Nancy Pelosi is wrong and fiscally irresponsible to suggest Nord should be fired because she does not want to be a tax and spend liberal Democrat. You can't have government do everything. If Nord believes the problems can be fixed she should have the chance. Who does Nancy Pelosi think she is America's Queen? Nancy says she has five grandchildren and worries about Thomas the train. I have 5 grandchildren too but, the free market will make these companies perform properly because of competiton. I'm here to help you and I'm from the government went out with Reagan.
Interestingly, Pelosi is having problems with her Dem caucus. You can't get by with fancy outfits and temper tantrums as House Speaker as Pelosi does. She is an egomaniac and highly over rated by the driveby media. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | October 31, 2007 12:03 PM
President George W. Bush took a break from trick or treating Wednsday night to announce his choice of Irwin Mainway as the new head of the Consumer Products Safety Commission. Mainway, famous creator of such popular toys as "Johnny Space Commander Mask” and “ Bag O’ Glass” will replace Acting CPSC chair Nancy Nord who has come under recent criticism for ineffective leadership.
The President stated “Irwin Mainway has my complete trust and confidence. He brings a working knowledge of the toy industry and his recent involvement in the food distribution business with his “Mainway Melts” line of reprocessed melt in the package candy bars. The American people are lucky to have him”.
Bush then continued down K Street in search of more treats.
Posted by: Leon Swerin | November 2, 2007 7:02 PM