Protesters target Pence; USW, others call for stricter import regulations

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_016193133.html

January 19, 2008 09:26 pm

Published January 16, 2008 07:31 pm - Americans need protection from dangerous imports.

That was the message brought to the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., on Wednesday, as a group of around 20 demonstrators called for stricter regulation of imported consumer products.

Americans need protection from dangerous imports.

That was the message brought to the office of U.S. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., on Wednesday, as a group of around 20 demonstrators called for stricter regulation of imported consumer products. The group was part of an effort by the United Steelworkers to push the Food and Product Responsibility Act through the legislature.

Under the bill, importers must have insurance to cover the potential cost of product recalls and damage caused by those products. Senate Bill 2081, as the legislation is known, has been referred to a Senate committee and a House version was expected to be introduced this week.

“With free trade the way it is, they’re sending all of our jobs overseas and sending poison products back to America,” said Tony Hensley, a USW member who works for Firestone in Anderson. “These companies need to be held accountable so we can have a safe world for our kids and grandkids.”

Recalls of several dangerous consumer products, including toys that contain lead paint, have spurred action by consumer protection groups and other entities. Since June 2007, more than 6 million toys have been recalled for high levels of lead.

Pence was not in his Anderson office on Wednesday, but his staff welcomed the group, offering coffee and protection from the cold. A spokesman for Pence, district director Lani Czarniecki, accepted a packet of information from Hensley and talked with demonstrators.

Czarniecki said Pence had an established record of protecting the American people, pointing to his vote for House Bill 4040, which passed unanimously in December.

FULL story and photos at link.