Congressman Dent takes up the cause!
For those who do not know, I have been communicating frequently with Congressman Charlie Dent's office. His office has been extremely helpful in assisting me gather accurate information regarding the CPSIA. My meeting with Congressman Dent himself is scheduled for January 16, 2009.
I've received word today that Congressman Dent is taking up our cause. And he is gathering the support of other Congressmen. So far, Congressman Jim Gerlach and Congressman Tim Holden have joined him to support the effort. Others are reviewing and likely more will join the effort in the next few days. Congressman Dent is sending a letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce requesting a hearing. This is VERY good news. THIS is how things get changed.
It is the new chairman of the Committee who has the ability to call for hearings on this matter and advance critical legislation to resolve some of the issues. The best way to convince him of the need for a hearing to amend the CPSIA is to WRITE LETTERS to the four Energy and Commerce Committee leaders explaining our concerns and issues with the law as it is written and how it will affect us. Even if you have written to these people before, I urge you to send another letter.
Here are the names and addresses of the four Committee leaders:
The Hon. Henry A. Waxman
Chairman Committee on Energy and Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3976
The Hon. Joe Barton
Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-2002
http://joebarton.house.gov/ContactJoe.aspx?Type=Contact
http://joebarton.house.gov/ContactJoe.aspx?Type=Email
The Hon. Bobby Rush
Chairman Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade
and Consumer Protection
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
or
Washington Office
2416 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-4372
fax: 202-226-0333
http://www.house.gov/rush/zipauth.shtml
The Hon. Ed Whitfield
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade
and Consumer Protection
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
or
DC Address: The Honorable Edward Whitfield
United States House of Representatives
2411 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1701
DC Phone: 202-225-3115
DC Fax: 202-225-3547
Electronic Correspondence: http://whitfield.house.gov/contact/index.shtml
WWW Homepage: http://whitfield.house.gov/
I tried to find email addresses for the above but not all will accept emails from people outside their district. I already contacted my Congressmen and got shot down (see posting on his reply!). I'll just keep knocking on his door till he answers. Also, some of the addresses I found differed from the ones on Etsy so I included them here as well.
Good luck!