I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, July 18; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed…

I understand S. 3393 introduced earlier today by Senator Reid is at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the bill by title for the first time. The assistant legislative clerk read as…

Today, the majority leader filed cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 3364, the Bring Jobs Home Act. If no agreement is reached, the cloture vote will be on Thursday. ____________________

If there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that it adjourn under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 5:57 p.m., adjourned until Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at 9:30 a.m…

I now ask for its second reading and object to my own request. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection having been heard, the bill will be read for the second time on the next legislative day. ____________________

There is no evidence, or there is no requirement, I should say, under the law that they be proven safe before they're introduced into commerce.

So it would seem to me interesting that when it comes to the regulation of furniture, products before CPSC, we have created this rigorous set of tests that need to be done by the Government, which make your job that much more difficult and…

I know in Chicago we have a great fire department. We also, downstate, have a lot of great fire departments and volunteer efforts.

And that's the point I wanted to get to, Mr. Van Dorpe, is when it comes to our knowledge of what we're buying and whether it's safe, most consumers may not think of it, number one; and number two, wouldn't know what to look for.

With each passing year, the need for TSCA reform grows.

Thank you, Chairman Durbin and staff, for allowing me to participate in today's hearing.

I want to make a point here, if I might.

I announce that the Senator from Louisiana (Ms. Landrieu) is necessarily absent.

Now, if this isn't a call to arms across America from families, including families with grandparents like me, who have little toddlers now bouncing around on the floor...

But ultimately, at the end of the day, it seems to me that the losers are the American consumers.

the average person on the street, if you said to them, we have a Government agency, which is funded, with experts and laboratories, and we've asked them to figure out how to keep our furniture safe so it is less likely to catch fire, and…

Thanks, Senator Lautenberg. And thanks for your leadership on this.

I welcome Senator Jerry Moran, the ranking member, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, and possibly other colleagues are joining me today.

We're going to keep the record open for 1 week, until noon on Wednesday, July 24.

Today, I am pleased to convene this hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government to discuss standards for the flammability of residential upholstered furniture and the use of flame-retardant…

Most Americans incorrectly, falsely, assume that if a product is for sale in the United States, someone who cares for their interest--not an economic interest, but cares for the health interest of Americans--has taken a look at it and said…

And to make it clear for the record, there are two approaches where--well, three, actually: legacy furniture, which was different than the furniture that we buy today; then furniture treated with fire-retardant chemicals, which you said…

Thank you Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Moran, and distinguished members of the subcommittee for the opportunity to share Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.'s (UL) research and expertise on the subject of furniture flammability.

Thanks, Senator Lautenberg.

EPA should have the tools to quickly and efficiently obtain information from manufacturers that is relevant to determining the safety of chemicals.