WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Tenenbaum approved as CPSC chief by full Senate

Tenenbaum approved as CPSC chief by full Senate

WASHINGTON, DC (WIS) - South Carolinian Inez Tenenbaum has been confirmed as chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission by the United States Senate.

She was approved Friday after receiving unanimous approval Thursday by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Tenenbaum had the support of Republican South Carolina Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint. DeMint defeated her in 2004 to win his Senate seat.

"I'm pleased the Senate has acted quickly on the nomination and confirmed her to this important position," Sen. Lindsey Graham said. "I know Inez and am confident she will hit the ground running. She will look out for American consumers and provide the agency with the leadership it needs. I also want to thank President Obama. He made an outstanding selection in choosing Inez Tenenbaum for this job."

Tenenbaum will replace acting chair Nancy Nord, who has been a lightning rod for Democrats in Congress and consumer advocates though defended by Republicans and manufacturers. The embattled agency has been criticized by advocates for being too cozy with industry.

The CPSC, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, has about 430 employees. The agency oversees about 15,000 products.

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