Consumer Groups Oppose Confirmation of Lorenze, Sessions as CPSC Commissioners
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League, Consumer Federation of America, and 29 other stakeholders sent a letter to members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation opposing the confirmation of Brien Lorenze and Karen Sessions to serve as commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The committee is scheduled to vote on the nominations tomorrow.
“Product safety hazards have no partisan leanings, and neither should the Commission tasked with addressing them,” the letter states.
In 1972, Congress established the CPSC as an independent federal agency led by five bipartisan commissioners exclusively charged with overseeing the safety of household consumer products. Since then, members of Congress from both parties have supported the role of an independent, nonpartisan CPSC.
“Historically, the agency’s independence has buffered the commissioners from political pressure from the White House and large donors”; the letter continues. “This has ensured that the agency has acted with transparency and a diversity of views, which has benefited the American people. Further, the presence of minority commissioners provided a layer of oversight and accountability on CPSC actions.”
In May 2025, the Trump administration removed the three Democratic, Senate-confirmed CPSC commissioners. President Trump has since nominated two individuals of his own political party.
“Diverse perspectives and transparency improve safety,” the letter states. “Silencing the voices of subject matter experts with whom the President politically disagrees or who may not serve his financial interests can have a chilling effect on the CPSC’s functions. This is particularly troublesome given the conflict of interest created by the President’s financial stake and those of his family and supporters in consumer products the CPSC is entrusted to regulate”
“We are concerned that without balanced representation at the CPSC, this small agency with a big mission will be unable to independently carry out its congressionally mandated duties and provide the public with the transparency it deserves,” the letter concludes. “We therefore urge you to oppose reporting favorably the nominations of Brien Lorenze and Karen Sessions to serve as CPSC commissioners.”
A copy of the letter can be found HERE
Cosigners (31): National Consumers League; Consumer Federation of America; Access Ready Inc.; Affordable Homeownership Foundation Inc.; Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota; BioInjury, LLC; Center for Auto Safety; Center for Pet Safety; Community Economic Empowerment Network; Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety; Cribs for Kids; Derrick Stone Safe Sleep; Detroit Greenways Coalition; Earth Action, Inc.; Economic Action Maryland Fund; Housing and Economic Rights Advocates; Just Strategy; Keeping Babies Safe; Kids and Car Safety; Missourians for Responsible Transportation; National Association of Consumer Advocates; National Bicycle Dealers Association; People Power United; Safety Research & Strategies; StopDistractions.org; The Collaborative; The Wisconsin Bike Fed; Together We Thrive, Inc.; Trailnet; Truck Safety Coalition; Dr. Charles Jennissen, Product Safety Advocate.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
