INFLUENCE GAME: Youth football helmet legislation stokes lobbying effort

[alp227]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A major football helmet manufacturer has sharply increased its Washington lobbying this year, responding to a congressional push to come up with new safety standards for children’s football helmets.

Riddell, which makes helmets for both kids and adults and is the official helmet of the NFL, spent $80,000 in the first quarter of this year lobbying on new legislation that could lead to federal regulation of youth football helmets. The company, which has come under criticism from one of the bill’s sponsors for claiming that its product reduces concussions, had spent almost nothing on lobbying last year.

At the same time, the group that sets voluntary standards for helmets, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment, last month hired a Washington lobbyist for the first time since the group’s establishment in 1969. The group is funded by license fees paid by manufacturers.

Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., and Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., introduced the Children’s Sports Athletic Equipment Safety Act in March. The bill would give the industry nine months to come up with new standards that address concussion risks and the specific needs of young players. Failing that, the Consumer Product Safety Commission would write mandatory standards.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/influence-game-youth-football-helmet-legislation-stokes-lobbying-effort/2011/05/16/AFHxhh4G_singlePage.html

[Drale]

1. I tell you what the Udall political family

has done so much for America and the majority of the people don't even know who they are.

[TygrBright]

2. We are extremely grateful to have Tom Udall representing us in NM. n/t

[oldhippydude]

4. yes

i am honored to have him represent new mexico!!

[Buzz Clik]

3. I get the revulsion about spending big bucks for lobbying, but ...

... are safer football helmets a bad thing?

[oldhippydude]

5. actually Buzz

it probably is time to look at football helmets... look what happened to Gerald Ford.. perhaps a better helmet would have stopped the nixon pardon!!

[Buzz Clik]

6. Yes, but his helmet...

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTBRIpKre8lTr5fbHqdauh8hdrFgK_JC12-N1d_GdWEw85l-6xe&t=1

The only protection is gave was against grass stained hair. (Kinda like you suggested...)

[AtheistCrusader]

7. The question is, are they safer?

Or are we just seeing arbitrary exclusion from the market for other helmet manufacturers?

Barrier to entry and all that.