Hoehn-Saric and Trumka Pass Committee while Boyle Awaits Vote

Two of three CPSC nominees moved a step towards confirmation September 22 when the Senate Commerce Committee favorably reported Alexander Hoehn-Saric to be chairman and commissioner as well as Richard Trumka to be commissioner. Hoehn-Saric's nominations passed by voice vote. Trumka's passed a rollcall vote 24-4.

As for the third nominee, Mary Boyle, she was not mentioned during the voting despite her name being on the agenda. At the end of that phase of the hearing, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), who chairs the panel, replied to a question about Boyle simply: "We are not moving Ms Boyle today." Neither the committee nor Boyle responded to PSL inquiries.

PSL also has not learned anything definitive about the speculation in the product safety community that the reasons might be a vote count concern and/or the early-2020 pandemic-related pause in CPSC's port presence.

On the ports, Boyle did field questions during her confirmation hearing (PSL, 8/2/21). That July session also saw discussion of a request by ranking member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) for GAO to look into the matter. Their move was prompted by a July USA Today story that included discussion of Boyle's role. She was and still is the agency's executive director.