August 2, 2009

E-Mail This Article Printer-Friendly Version

By Product Safety Letter staff

The Senate is moving quickly to deal with the probable fourth and fifth CPSC members. With President Barack Obama’s July 30 announcement that he will nominate Anne Northup to be a commissioner, the Senate Commerce Committee will meet August 5 to consider her and Robert Adler. Obama nominated Adler in May along with CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. The hearing is set for 10 am in room 253 of the Senate Russell Building.

Product Safety Forum is a free service of Product Safety Letter. Its mission is twofold: to promote frank and open airing of product safety issues and to provide advice and guidance from top experts in the field. Do you have an idea or article you think would make a great piece for Product Safety Forum, including commentary or reaction to this one? Then email Publisher Sean Oberle to discuss it. To read more stories, see the archives.

Northrup is a Republican from Kentucky. She was a U.S. Representative from that state from 1997 to 2007. She lost the 2006 and 2008 elections to John Yarmuth (D-Ken.). Before coming to Washington, she served in the state’s General Assembly from 1987 to 1996. She holds a degree in business and economics from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana.

Under CPSC rules, a minority of commissioners must come from the party not holding the White House. With the return to five commissioners – spurred by the CPSIA – the split will be 3-to-2. Tenenbaum and Commissioner Thomas Moore are Democrats, as is Adler. Commissioner Nancy Nord is a Republican.