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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

CPSC's Nord Bites the Hand That Feeds

The current head of the CPSC is lobbying against legislation that would strengthen her agency, The New York Times reports:

On the eve of an important Senate committee meeting to consider the legislation, Nancy A. Nord, the acting chairwoman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, has asked lawmakers in two letters not to approve the bulk of legislation that would increase the agency's authority, double its budget and sharply increase its dwindling staff.

Ms. Nord opposes provisions that would increase the maximum penalties for safety violations and make it easier for the government to make public reports of faulty products, protect industry whistle-blowers and prosecute executives of companies that willfully violate laws.

Nord's position is peculiar because, in a September Senate hearing, she recognized the depleted resources of CPSC and faulted Congress for neglecting the agency for so long. The Times insinuates Nord may be coordinating her efforts with the White House:

Ms. Nord's opposition to important elements of the legislation is consistent with the broadly deregulatory approach of the Bush administration over the last seven years. In a variety of areas, from antitrust to trucking and worker safety, officials appointed by President Bush have sought to reduce the role of regulation and government in the marketplace.

Tony Fratto, a White House spokesman, said that Ms. Nord had not coordinated her effort to kill the legislation with the White House. But he said that the administration shared many of her concerns.

Reg•Watch Update: "Politicking between Democrats and Nord Threatens CPSC"