Consumer groups urge Senate to reject CPSC nominees, warning of one-party control

A broad coalition of consumer advocates is asking the Senate Commerce Committee to block two nominees to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, arguing that confirming them would undermine the agency's independence at a time when consumers face increasing product safety risks.

The Consumer Federation of America, National Consumers League and 29 other organizations sent a letter to senators opposing the nominations of Brien Lorenze and Karen Sessions, who have been nominated to serve as CPSC commissioners. The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to vote on the nominations this week.

"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 groups wrote.

The coalition concluded by urging senators not to report the nominations favorably to the full Senate.

Why the fight matters

Although the CPSC is one of Washington's smallest regulatory agencies, it oversees the safety of thousands of categories of consumer products, including toys, furniture, household appliances, recreational vehicles, power tools and electronics. The agency conducts recalls, develops safety standards, investigates hazardous products and maintains the public SaferProducts.gov database.

Consumer advocates argue that the commission's bipartisan structure has historically helped ensure that product safety decisions are based on evidence rather than politics. Federal law generally limits the commission to no more than three members from the same political party.

The nominations also come after an unusually turbulent period for the agency.

In 2025, President Trump dismissed the commission's three Democratic members, triggering lawsuits over whether the removals complied with statutory protections for independent agencies. Since then, questions about the commission's composition and authority have remained a source of legal and political controversy.

Consumer advocates see broader risks

The groups' concerns extend beyond the nominees themselves.

They argue that an ideologically unbalanced commission could weaken oversight of dangerous products entering the U.S. market, particularly those sold through large online marketplaces by third-party sellers.

Consumer organizations have repeatedly warned that inexpensive imported products sold online often evade traditional safety oversight and account for a growing share of recalls and enforcement actions.

The coalition also says the commission needs independent oversight as it responds to emerging risks involving lithium-ion batteries, connected consumer products, children's products and the growing volume of imported goods sold directly to consumers.

Industry sees different priorities

Business groups have generally welcomed the nominees, arguing that the commission should modernize its regulatory approach, rely more heavily on voluntary safety standards where appropriate and make greater use of data-driven enforcement rather than broad regulatory initiatives.

During their Senate confirmation hearing last month, the nominees discussed using technology and improved data analysis to help identify emerging product hazards.

Supporters also argue the agency should avoid unnecessary regulatory burdens while continuing to target genuinely dangerous products.

What happens next?

If approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, the nominations would advance to the full Senate for confirmation.

The outcome will likely shape the direction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for years, affecting everything from recall policies and product safety standards to how aggressively the agency pursues enforcement against manufacturers and online sellers.

For consumers, the practical stakes are significant. The CPSC oversees recalls involving millions of products each year and plays a central role in identifying hazards before they cause injuries or deaths.

Consumer Watch: Why the CPSC matters

The Consumer Product Safety Commission doesn't regulate cars, food, drugs or firearms, but it has authority over roughly 15,000 categories of consumer products, including:

• Children's toys and nursery products
• Furniture and mattresses
• Household appliances
• Electronics and batteries
• Sporting goods
• Recreational vehicles
• Power tools
• Household chemicals

The agency's recalls and safety standards have been credited with reducing injuries from products ranging from cribs and space heaters to high-powered magnets and off-road vehicles.

Consumer advocates argue that maintaining an independent, bipartisan commission is particularly important as more products are purchased directly from overseas sellers through online marketplaces, making enforcement more difficult.