Today, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to approve its fiscal year (FY) 2024 Operating Plan. The plan is based on realistic funding assumptions. It requires the Commission to prioritize our work not for the funding environment we wish we had, but the reality we are likely to face. 

Too often in the recent past, CPSC has tied key planning documents to aspirational figures with no basis in reality. I voted against the FY 2023 Operating Plan for that reason, among others.  I have consistently called for Commission budgets and planning documents to reflect the current fiscal reality. I appreciate that the Commission today adopted a more practical approach.  Keying our plans to realistic funding is responsible management.  

I am pleased that this plan reflects a number of my priorities, including support for CPSC’s import and compliance missions. This year, the Commission will work to enforce newly promulgated regulations for clothing storage units and button cell batteries and will continue to police the illegal sale of recalled goods. This plan holds harmless the staffing levels I have fought to increase over the years. As I stated last week, these investments in our frontline law enforcement staff are paying dividends for American consumers.

My amendment to formalize CPSC’s Section 12 review for enforcement against imminently hazardous products was adopted unanimously. CPSC is authorized to bring enforcement actions against these products but has used its authority sparingly over the years. The Operating Plan now encourages maximum use of these powers to protect consumers. It is my hope that this amendment will continue the progress to re-prioritize the agency’s core enforcement mission.

As always, the Commission must make decisions to allocate the resources entrusted to us by American taxpayers. The plan’s budgetary assumptions are consistent with the management principles we should follow as stewards of these funds. This plan is a consensus document and not necessarily what I would have drafted on my own. Nevertheless, it provides direction and certainty to execute our mission and protect consumers.