I might also add that I recently met with the Postmaster General, and the U.S. Post Office has many vehicles bought by the Federal Government. They are trying to focus on how to reconfigure existing vehicles with diesel technology, for…

I might just say to the Senator from California that it wasn't that long ago we used to hear about all the California laws, rules, and regulations. It was a source of amusement to many of us in the Midwest that you had your own design in…

today I am pleased that, S. Res. 231, a resolution recognizing historic Juneteenth Independence Day, has passed the Senate. June 19 is an ordinary day for many Americans, is a significant day for those who know its history. Juneteenth…

So you read the Tribune series, as we did, and learned that despite everything that occurred and all the dangerous warnings and all of the bad health consequences the product was still on the shelf.

You said that you were just a few weeks away from or close to proposing a ban on lead in toys?

I'm at a loss to figure out what the Consumer Products Safety Commission is doing.

I can tell you, I know you've had a chance to speak to some toy companies and retailers--they get it.

Your meetings with toy industry leaders, the CPSC and the field hearing you organized in Illinois have helped to steer the debate in the right direction.

And the maximum penalty is how much?

I think the public has a right to know about what is going on here.

We commend you, Senator Durbin, for holding a joint hearing with House members on this issue.

It's very, very bad too. And clearly, this is our job to change it.

Do we really want to stand idly by as the Chinese Government manipulates its currency, to give itself an unfair economic advantage?

Now, in terms of the knockoff products which look even more dangerous than the Magnetix products, now that we have established--and I won't ask you to get into our 6(b) problems again--that this is a dangerous product that needed to be…

Why don't you explain that so anybody who is wondering whether you're avoiding the question----

And does it require timely reporting?

Sir, the Chinese have agreed to eliminate any lead paint used in toys exported to the United States.

My last question relates to design. When I met with Minister Wei this morning, from China, he said, part of the problem we have with toys is that our people are manufacturing to the design standards of the United States.

Thank you for your efforts to steadily increase the CPSC's budget, with an increase to $70 million for fiscal year 2008.

Now, for the record, most of the toys for sale this holiday season, have been manufactured long before.

We wish to commend you, Senator Durbin, for your outstanding leadership in speaking out on behalf of American consumers.

Senator Durbin, the bill you and Senator Bill Nelson of Florida introduced this summer, S. 1848, The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, calls for lifting the cap to $20 million.

I understand pending litigation in a courtroom. I'm a lawyer, but those three dates that I'm looking for appear to be matters of public record.

When I met with Minister Wei, he told me that China had a zero-tolerance policy now, when it came to lead paint.

China has failed in sending us products that are dangerous, that have harmed children and many others.