Cantwell to Introduce Bill to Restore FTC Consumer Redress Authority

Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., will introduce legislation this week to restore the FTC’s Section 13(b) authority (see 2106210054), her office said Monday. Cantwell attempted to reach bipartisan consensus with ranking member Roger Wicker, R-Miss. Her bill would “authorize monetary remedies for consumers” harmed by violations, ensure the FTC “may sue for injunctions and consumer redress for prior conduct,” affirm the FTC “must argue its cases in front of a neutral federal judge” and create a 10-year statute of limitations for FTC lawsuits. The statute of limitations would mirror the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act (HR-2668) from Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif. The Supreme Court’s decision eliminating the FTC’s 13(b) authority has allowed companies to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in redress owed to consumers, said Cantwell. Her office issued a related report.