An article in ConsumerAffairs.Com points out that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been limited in many of its operations because it has an insufficient number of commissioners to vote on civil penalties and all reglatory activities, although they are able to continue product recall announcements. The July, 2006 resignation of the Commission Chairman, Hal Stratton, left a vacancy that only the President can fill.  The Consumer Product Safety Act, which created and governs the CPSC, provides that the two remaining commissioners can continue their regulatory activities for six months after a vacancy occurs, but after that time they are stripped of their powers until the President fills the vacancy.  That has been the case since January 15, 2007.  At this point, no announcement of a replacement has been made.  The appointment will have to be confirmed by the Senate.  This state of limbo has previously occurred three times, twice during President Bush's administration and once during his father's.  By Joseph S. Enoch.

MKS