Shocking law about to go into effect

My friend Joy just knocked my socks of this morning by referring to this article in the L.A. Times. I had never heard of it, but after an hour of research online, I have checked the US government's site, and there are also numerous mentions of this article all over the internet. A new law (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) scheduled to go into effect on February 10, 2009 will affect millions of Americans who depend on second-hand items for their children.

If this is true and seems to be, and you frequent consignment shops, thrift stores, or yard sales to buy, donate, or sell children's clothing and toys, then your life is about to drastically change.

Here is the gist of it:
"The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead."

Why we haven't heard anything before now about it, and how it was passed by Congress and signed into law, I do not understand. Apparently the bailout was the focus of everyone's attention and this got no media notice. I'm concerned and disturbed. I'm not sure if contacting lawmakers now does any good, since it would be difficult to change the law, but I think we need to try to do something. The law goes into effect overnight, so that products are available one day, then illegal to purchase the next without inspection certificates. Thrift stores and consignment stores will not be able to afford testing, so will go out of business. Yard sales of children's clothing and toys manufactured will no longer be legal. Homemade clothing items for sale will not be allowable, unless it meets certain standards. This is yet another example of the government's over-involvement in our daily affairs. Whatever happened to personal resposibility? So, what do we do?

Links with the details:
Website with info regarding Commission
The Act itself
Consumer Product Safety Commission: Ballot and Brief

UPDATE at 2:00:

I have contacted my Congressman, and Senators. I'm awaiting responses from them. I also got in touch with American Family Association, whose rep. hadn't heard of the Act either. She referred me to the American Center for Law and Justice, and I have now emailed them asking for advice and how we can respond. I'm getting a lot of responses from you all, and everyone obviously agrees this is a huge problem. Lower income families depend almost entirely on thrift stores, etc. for their clothing needs, and I'm wondering how they will survive without that resource. I think we need to set up our own massive freecycle network, instead of depending on outside sources in the future, since they appear to be on the verge of extinction...