Sen. Elizabeth Warren planted a liberal flag on Thursday, pushing the government's right to regulate as she ripped Republicans, the National Rifle Association and anyone else who would stand in its way.

In a wide-ranging speech to the Consumer Federation of America, Warren defended federal regulations as essential for safe consumers and a healthy economy. And at a time when "cutting red tape" is a key plank of Republicans' plan for economic growth, Warren argued that regulations were a success story in America.

"It's thanks to federal agencies that no one has to worry that those white pills are baking soda instead of antibiotics or that the paint on the baby's crib is laced with lead," Warren said, according to a copy of her prepared remarks.