November 1, 2007
Another consumer group, Public Citizen, is calling on Nancy Nord to step down as acting head of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Nord has been in the line of fire in the wake of a cascading recall of consumer products from tainted pet food to lead-painted toys.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other top Democrats have also called on Nord to step down.
Public Citizen President Joan Claybrook says it's more than odd that, in a year that has seen an unprecedented number of recalls of unsafe products, the head of the agency designed to protect consumers is calling on lawmakers to reject legislation that would double its budget, beef up its authority and expand its staff.
She also says the CPSCs problems are nothing new.
For far too many years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has failed to properly protect consumers, hiding behind the excuse that it was underfunded and understaffed, Claybrook said. While there was some truth to that statement, it has been ineffective as a shield from criticism because of the very real connections between the CPSC and industry.
Claybrook says the ties between the agency and the industries it regulates were underscored by the administrations recent nomination of Michael Baroody for the CPSCs top job. Baroody was then the executive vice president for the National Association of Manufacturers.
The would-be new chairman had spent most of his professional life as a lobbyist and political operative on behalf of corporate interests, an unreasonable choice for a pro-consumer leadership position, Claybrook said.
The long-time consumer advocate says its apparent to her that the agency is now avoiding any strengthening of the commission if it means that it will interfere with serving corporate interest groups.
She points out that Nord was a corporate lawyer and an official at the United States Chamber of Commerce before joining the CPSC.
Nord drew consumer fire this week when she testified before the Senate Commerce Committee and withheld her support for S. 2045, a measure Claybrook says would greatly strengthen the agency. Claybrook says its apparent the administration doesnt want that to happen.
Nord has failed a critical litmus test by proving she is no friend to consumers, Claybrook said. She does not belong in a position of power and authority and should resign immediately or be relieved of her duties.
