Nelson calls on consumer czar to resign

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) sent a letter to President Obama yesterday asking him to oust Nancy Nord, the Chairwoman of the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC).

Upset that the CPSC hasn’t adequately addressed tainted drywall from China, Nelson “believe[s] we have a serious problem with the CPSC.”

“More specifically,” Nelson continued, “the agency is doing too little, too late to help residents of Florida and other states who are reporting serious health and safety issues problems associated with living in homes built with tainted drywall imported from China.”

Nelson added: “For the last three years, the commission has been under the leadership and direction of acting Chairwoman Nancy Nord, who has come under bipartisan criticism for, among other things, being too cozy with manufacturers. Given her record, it’s my belief new leadership is required.”

Nord was appointed by President Bush, and her term is set to expires in 2012. While Obama can not fire Nord, Nelson wants the President to call on her to resign.

Nord has previously come under fire for the CPSC’s slow action to recall Chinese toys made with lead paint.