Senators Push Back Against Trump's Illegal Firing of Consumer Safety Commissioners

U.S. Senators and Representatives led by Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, have filed an amicus brief to preserve the independence and effectiveness of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after President Trump's illegal firing of three Democratic Commissioners. The brief argues that the President lacks the authority to dismantle the bipartisan, independent agency and fire its Democratic Commissioners without cause.

Key Takeaways:

• The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been free from politics for over 50 years, focusing on keeping Americans safe from hazardous products.
• The Commission recalled 153 million unsafe items last year alone, highlighting the importance of its work.
• The amicus brief was filed by 23 members of Congress, including Senators Klobuchar, Cantwell, Blumenthal, and Representatives Wasserman Schultz and others.
• The brief argues that the Trump Administration lacks the authority to dismantle the CPSC and fire its Democratic Commissioners without cause, citing 90 years of Supreme Court precedent.
• Maintaining the CPSC's independence is critical to its ability to fulfill its Congressional mandate to protect Americans from unreasonable injury risk.
• The text of the Consumer Products Safety Act and its legislative history make clear Congress's intent to ensure the integrity and vigilance of the CPSC through removal protections for its members.
• The CPSC's independence has enabled it to keep dangerous products out of homes and protect children from preventable harm, with experts and science guiding its decisions.
• The National Consumers League and Consumer Federation of America have applauded the efforts of Senator Klobuchar and her fellow amici to defend the CPSC's independence and lifesaving mission.

Statistics:

• 50 years: the length of time the CPSC has been free from politics.
• 153 million: the number of unsafe items recalled by the CPSC last year.
• 2020: the year in which the CPSC recalled 153 million items.
• 90 years: the number of years of Supreme Court precedent cited in the amicus brief to support the CPSC's independence.

Sources:

• "Senators push back against Trump's firing of consumer safety commissioners" by the Office of Senator Amy Klobuchar.
• "Brief in Support of Petitioners" - full amicus brief available online.
• Consumer Federation of America - Courtney Griffin, Director of Consumer Product Safety
• National Consumers League - Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection and Product Safety.