Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)

Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA, 1972)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (15 U.S.C. § 2051 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The CPSA was enacted to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. It created the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Prior to 1972, consumer product regulation was scattered across various agencies, leaving many household goods unregulated for safety. The CPSA centralized oversight.

Acts

CHIPS and Science Act

CHIPS and Science Act (2022)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (Public Law 117–167)

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to strengthen U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, and boost scientific research and innovation competitiveness—particularly against China.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
While the U.S. had prior tech and research funding laws, no comprehensive legislation addressed the supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the global chip shortage during COVID-19.