My senators for Montana wrote back (or their office sent prepared responses). Regardless the responses show indifference to the case of lead in youth OHV's.
Here are their responses:
Senator Max Baucus:
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"Thank you for contacting me
about modifying the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. I appreciate hearing from you
on this importance issue. On August 14, 2008, the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA) passed into law. I was a proud supporter of
this bill. This bill will
establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for
children's products, and would reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product
Safety Commission. As you know, the Motorcycle
Industry Council and other manufacturers and distributors have filed requests to
exclude several ATV components. Congress gave the Consumer Product Safety
Commission the tools to grant common-sense exclusions from the lead standards
under Section 101(b) in the recently passed
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. In the case of youth motorcycles and
ATVs, this exemption would provide relief from the CPSIA's lead content
requirements for youth ATVs and OHMs if the lead-containing components, parts
and accessories are found to pose no risk of causing measurable increase in
blood lead levels in children ages 12 and younger. Rest assured,
Congress made sure the Consumer Product Safety Commission has the necessary
tools to provide commonsense exceptions. In 2008, it was my honor to be
elected to my sixth term as Montana's Senior Senator. This is a privilege that I
enjoy, and a responsibility I take very seriously. My priorities and principles
guide my every action as a Senator. I will continue my efforts to improve the
laws protecting consumers and children against hazardous
products. Thanks again for getting in
touch. I also would
encourage you to visit my website at http://baucus.senate.gov/ for current information on
what I'm doing both here in Washington and at home to help Montana. Please feel free to contact me
in the future with your concerns. With best personal regards, I
am Senator Max Baucus And here is John Tester:
"Thank you for contacting me about your concerns with several aspects of the
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) as passed during the 110th
Congress.
Last year, we heard alarming reports about unsafe imports from
China, one of America's largest trading partners. Americans should not have to
fear that things they buy at retail stores and supermarkets could be dangerous
to their children. It is the responsibility of agencies like the Consumer
Product Safety Commission to identify every risk. In an effort to ensure that
products sold in America are safe, the CPSIA law places stringent testing
criteria on any product intended for the use of a child under the age of 12.
I am concerned, however, about how these regulations may affect both
micro-business owners and local artisans across Montana, as well as the youth
ATV industry. I will continue to advocate for common sense in laws and
regulation. To that end, please be assured that my staff is looking into this
issue. In the meantime, I urge you to review the document provided by the
Consumer Product Safety Commission entitled, "Guidance on the Consumer Product
Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and
Charities" for more specific answers to the many questions you may have about
this issue. This document is available online at
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.htmlAs
we move forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues to find the best
solutions to adequately protect American workers, consumers, and businesses.
Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of further
assistance.
Sincerely,
Jon Tester
United States Senator
I know there are thousands of more "important" things going on in this country right now. My wife has not worked in two years because she is stuck in the worker's comp system. I was laid off two months ago and will consume my life savings supporting my family over the next 24 months.
I wrote letters for Omnibus, and the youth OHV problem and I voted for both these guys. I have lost faith in our government's current staffing.
:bang: I hope for all our sake, the current regime gets their shit together and fixes things according to the will of the people.