Awning Safety Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Pallone for yielding the time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6132, the Awning Safety Act, which passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously. I thank Representative Balderson for working with me and leading this important consumer protection bill that will prompt the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a safety standard for fixed and freestanding motorized, retractable awnings.

Awnings are common for households across the country. The last thing a person should be worried about is a defective product, but in 2019, a motorized product was recalled after 14 incidents, including one fatal injury. The CPSC worked quickly with the manufacturer to recall the product and provide a remedy for consumers, but all consumers deserve protection.

It is important that the CPSC continues this work to save lives and keep families safe. That is why Representative Balderson and I are offering this bill to provide oversight and increased safety, empower the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and help prevent other families from suffering through tragic injuries and even deaths.

Consumers and their children deserve to enjoy the great outdoors without the fear of injury or death from products they presume to be safe. I thank the committee's chairwoman, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, for encouraging us in this effort, as well as Ranking Member Pallone and the entire committee.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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