Janice Schakowsky: “I thank the chairman for yielding to me. I rise in strong support of H.R. 8134, the Consumer Product Safety Inspection…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding to me. I rise in strong support of H.R. 8134, the Consumer Product Safety Inspection Enhancement Act, a bill that I introduced with my friend and colleague, Jeff Duncan. E-commerce spending is surging right now during the COVID-19 pandemic as Americans turn to online shopping for household essentials, personal protective equipment, back-to-school supplies, and more. However, e-commerce shipments entering the United States from overseas face little scrutiny and often contain fake or dangerous products. It is time that we empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission to collect the data it needs to identify and block e- commerce shipments that can harm consumers and that don't offer the protection and safety that they need. {time} 1330 This legislation would give the CPSC the data that it needs to protect Americans from the flood of unsafe products that are coming in. This legislation is a critical first step to restoring confidence in e-commerce sites, but this bill is not a silver bullet. Much more needs to happen. Earlier this month, CNN reported that products sold on Amazon had burst into flames, causing significant bodily harm and property damage as well. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record that article. [From CNN, Sept. 10, 2020] Dozens of Amazon's Own Products Have Been Reported as Dangerous-- Melting, Exploding or Even Bursting into Flames.…”