U.S. safety agency chief rejects resignation calls

By Kevin Drawbaugh and Karey Wutkowski

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The chief U.S. product safety regulator said on Wednesday she would not resign, amid more recalls of lead-tainted toys made in China and further urging by lawmakers for a shake-up at her agency.

Nancy Nord, acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), said in a statement she did not intend to resign "because I care passionately about the mission of this agency."

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and three other Democrats on Tuesday had called on Nord to step down.

New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez on Wednesday joined in seeking Nord's ouster. "It has become clear to me that Ms. Nord must resign so that the Consumer Product Safety Commission can act to protect American families from dangerous products."

The Bush administration defended Nord. "We believe she's doing a fine job," said White House spokeswoman Dana Perino.

Nord and the Bush administration have criticized parts of a Senate bill that would boost funding and staff for the CPSC.

Nord, a former government lawyer and U.S. Chamber of Commerce executive, said she was saddened and troubled by the tactics being used in an attempt to silence debate on important policy issues.

With holiday shopping about to get under way, more recalls were issued on Wednesday -- including one for 380,000 toy "Galaxy Warriors" action figures sold by Family Dollar Stores Inc due to excessive lead levels in paint.