Boyle's Confirmation Draws Remarks from In-and-Outside CPSC

The Senate June 22 confirmed Mary Boyle to be a CPSC commissioner. The party-line tally was 50-48 with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) not voting. Her term ends in October 2025 as she enters a seven-year slot that began running in 2018.

CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric wrote (bit.ly/3OFF2Dv):

"Mary has spent more than a decade on the CPSC staff in various leadership positions where she has spearheaded important initiatives to protect consumers from hazardous and unsafe products, including the agency's safety efforts on safe sleep and high-powered magnets. In addition, over the years she has been instrumental in advancing our enforcement efforts."

"Mary’s depth of knowledge, insight and commitment to public safety will serve her well in her new role and will be a tremendous asset to the Commission as we work to keep consumers safe from hazardous products. I am grateful the Commission will continue to benefit from Mary’s expertise, and I look forward working with her, and with the rest of our colleagues, to improve consumer product safety for all Americans.”

Consumer Federation of America and Kids in Danger jointly commented (bit.ly/3NdLAIb):

"Mary Boyle has significant CPSC experience, having most recently served as Executive Director of the agency…Now, the agency can operate fully with five commissioners. The CPSC has not had a full commission (five commissioners) since October 2019. We look forward to working with Ms. Boyle and her team to protect families from hazards such as unstable dressers, unsafe infant sleep products, ingestion hazards like magnets and button batteries, and more."

U.S. PIRG included this observation (bit.ly/3ynZIut) by Teresa Murray, whose title is Consumer Watchdog:

"After a decade in leadership positions at the agency, Mary Boyle knows consumer product safety and the CPSC as well as anyone. She can now work with the other commissioners on critical issues such as quick recalls of dangerous products; items that threaten babies and children; and counterfeit products, particularly those from overseas that don’t meet U.S. safety standards."

Public Citizen distributed this remark (bit.ly/3OeMg17) by Susan Harley, director of its Congress Watch:

"Given her extensive experience at the agency, Boyle’s confirmation to serve as a CPSC commissioner is welcome news. With a full roster, the agency is now positioned to act on critical product safety reforms and enforcement actions."

Boyle's confirmation gives Democrats a 3-2 majority that could last into at least 2025. These are the current terms:

• Dana Baiocco (R) to October 2024.
• Mary Boyle (D) to October 2025.
• Peter Feldman (R) to October 2026.
• Alexander Hoehn-Saric (D) to October 2027.
• Richard Trumka (D) to October 2028.

A commissioner – if not replaced or reconfirmed – can stay up to a year past the end of a term under the CPSA provision meant to limit vacancies.