FTC regains power to recover money for defrauded consumers
In committeeS. 4311Latest action
Sponsor: Maria Cantwell · Senator · WA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Consumer Protection Remedies Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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This bill restores the FTC's court power to make companies repay consumers harmed by fraud or deceptive practices, going back up to 10 years.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill restores the FTC's ability to ask federal courts to order companies to repay consumers who were harmed by illegal business practices. Courts could require restitution, cancel unfair contracts, or force companies to give up profits made through wrongdoing. These remedies can apply to conduct going back up to 10 years before the FTC files its case.
Who does it affect?
This bill affects any business or individual that violates laws the FTC enforces, such as rules against fraud, deceptive advertising, or unfair practices. It also affects consumers who were harmed by those violations.
Why does it matter?
A 2021 Supreme Court ruling limited the FTC's power to recover money for harmed consumers, leaving many with no clear path to repayment. This bill changes the law so that courts have explicit authority to order those remedies again.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedApr 15, 2026
- Senate committeeYou are here · Apr 15, 2026
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.