Marsha Blackburn: “My amendment would prohibit funds for the voluntary recall proposed rule at the Consumer Product Safety Commission and…”

“My amendment would prohibit funds for the voluntary recall proposed rule at the Consumer Product Safety Commission and would prevent them from moving forward with a rule that would cripple the highly successful voluntary recall program that is currently in place. For nearly 40 years, the CPSC and manufacturers and retailers, big and small, have partnered to ensure that the system of voluntary recalls is effectively reducing the safety risks that are posed to the public. In fact, the CPSC recently highlighted the success of the program, noting that 90 percent of the recalls through the award-winning Fast Track program are implemented within 20 days. The Fast Track program was created by former CPSC Chairman Ann Brown to greatly reduce the amount of time it takes recalls to be implemented. Instead of working to increase the efficiency of its programs, the CPSC's proposed rule change effectively kills its most successful program. On May 30, Ann Brown, a Democratic former Chairman appointed by President Clinton, sent a letter to the Energy and Commerce Committee expressing deep concerns over the impacts of the Commission's proposed rule. Concerning the substantive provisions of the proposal, former Chairman Brown stated: A Fast Track procedure would be rendered impossible under these circumstances. The success of this Fast Track program is based on the shared commitment of the Commission and the private sector to remove harmful products from the marketplace.…”