Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed a cloture petition preparatory to bringing the CPSC Reform Act (now numbered S. 2663) to the Senate floor next week. A procedural vote known as a cloture vote or motion to proceed (60 yeas required) is scheduled for 5:30 pm Monday.

Meanwhile, we've joined other leading consumer groups in a release rebutting a 10-point memo (more of a screed actually) attacking the bill that was issued by the office of Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee. Since his committee held a number of hearings, we'd expect a better understanding of the bill's intent and scope. Conversely, the ranking Republican and co-chair of the Committee, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) is a co-sponsor of the bill.

We're supporting all strengthening amendments, and of course opposing efforts to gut or delay this important product safety reform bill. From our release today:

Consumer, Safety Groups Call Foul on False Attacks on Product Safety Reform Bill-- Groups rebut charges; bill will be considered in the Senate beginning on Monday

(Washington, DC) -- Consumer, public interest, safety, and scientific groups today condemned false charges from the office of Sen. Jim DeMint, released through the Republican Steering Committee, against a Senate bill that would overhaul the ailing Consumer Product Safety Commission, and urged Senators to approve the measure -- without weakening amendments -- when it is slated to come up for a vote next week.