Alexander Hoehn-Saric
Alexander Hoehn-Saric | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission | |
| In office October 12, 2021 – January 21, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Robert S. Adler (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Peter Feldman (acting) |
| Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission | |
| Assumed office October 12, 2021 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Elliot F. Kaye |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago (BA) University of California, Los Angeles (JD) |
Alexander Hoehn-Saric is an American attorney and government official who has served as a commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission since 2021 and previously served as chair from 2021 to 2025. Hoehn-Saric is a Democrat.[1]
Early life and education
Hoehn-Saric was born to immigrants from China and Austria and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Chicago and a JD from UCLA Law School.[2]
Career
Hoehn-Saric previously served as Chief Counsel for Communications and Consumer Protection for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.[3] He worked on legislation and oversight on issues ranging from product safety to communications.
On the Senate side, he served as senior counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, handling product safety and consumer protection matters. Hoehn-Saric also served at the United States Department of Commerce as the Deputy General Counsel for Strategic Initiatives.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
On July 2, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Hoehn-Saric to be both a member and the chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.[2] Hearings were held before the Senate Commerce Committee on July 28, 2021. The committee favorably reported his nomination to the Senate floor on September 22, 2021. Hoehn-Saric was confirmed by the entire Senate via voice vote on October 7, 2021.[4][5]
Hoehn-Saric started his position in October 2021. In office, Hoehn-Saric has cautioned consumers from believing that products on shelves are necessarily safe and have met government approval before sale.[6]
On May 9, 2025, President Donald Trump fired Hoehn-Saric and two other Democratic members of the commission.[7] On June 13, 2025, Judge Matthew J. Maddox of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that their dismissals were improper and reinstated them to the commission.[8]
Personal life
Hoehn-Saric has a wife and they currently reside in Maryland with their son and daughter.[2]
References
- ^ "CPSC Has a New Chair". The National Law Review. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
- ^ a b c "President Biden Announces Six Key Nominations". The White House. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Frankel, Todd C. (July 3, 2021). "Biden nominates 2 to join product safety agency". Washington Post. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
- ^ "PN768 — Alexander Hoehn-Saric — Consumer Product Safety Commission 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "PN769 — Alexander Hoehn-Saric — Consumer Product Safety Commission 117th Congress (2021-2022)". US Congress. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Gibson, Kate (February 2, 2022). "People mistakenly assume consumer products are safe, top regulator says". CBS News. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
- ^ "Trump Fires Consumer Watchdog Who Defied Executive Order". May 9, 2025.
- ^ "US judge reinstates Consumer Product Safety commissioners fired by Trump". June 16, 2025.