CONSUMERS related term(s) Credit

Amendments

Taxation: make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), S4402, S4404, S4435, S4436 [27AP], S4506, S4605, S4607, S4608, S4609, S4611, S4612, S4613, S4614, S4615, S4616, S4619, S4620, S4621 [28AP], S4657, S4658, S4661, S4662, S4710, S4711, S4712, S4713, S4715, S4716 [29AP]

Articles and editorials

Accusation—Trader Recordings Show TXU Schemed To Spike Power Prices, S8146-S8148 [15JY]

After the Blackout—FirstEnergy Has Been Kicked Around. When Will Congress Complete the Urgent Task of Improving Oversight of the Power Industry?, S3993 [8AP]

Alexander-Carper Internet Tax Bill Protects Local Authority, S4640 [29AP]

Avoiding Blackouts, S3993 [8AP]

Blackout Lessons, S3994 [8AP]

Court Creates Snoopers' Heaven, S7894 [9JY]

Derail E-Mail Snooping, S7894 [9JY]

Electric Companies Begin Offering Broadband Service, S4350 [26AP]

Enron Traders Brag of Stealing Money From California, H4122 [15JN]

FCC Rule Could Harm Tech Innovation, H6624 [22JY]

Georgia City Decided To Provide Its Residents With a Year of Free Internet Access. But Only Half Have Signed On. Why LaGrange Isn't More ``Wired,'', S4350 [26AP]

Growing Profit Source for Banks—Fees From Riskiest Card Holders, S8744 [22JY]

Head Off More Blackouts, S3993 [8AP]

Intercepting E-Mail, S7894 [9JY]

Internet Access Fees—Don't Let Removal Have Unintended Effects, S4351 [26AP]

Little Change in the Grid, S3994 [8AP]

Pass Electricity Reliability Law, S3993 [8AP]

Powerless, S3994 [8AP]

Preventing Future Blackouts, S3994 [8AP]

Probing the Darkness, S3993 [8AP]

Regulating the Grid, S3995 [8AP]

Senate's Chance on Drug Costs, S10412 [5OC]

Shielding the Drug Industry, S10411 [5OC]

Tax and Click, S4351 [26AP]

Trade Agreement May Undercut Importing of Inexpensive Drugs, S8197 [15JY], H5662, H5709-H5711 [14JY]

With More Than 600 Lobbyists, There's Little Chance on Drug Prices, E291 [3MR]

``Yes'' to Drugs From Canada, E810 [11MY]

You've Got Mail (and Court Says Others Can Read It), S7895 [9JY]

Bills and resolutions

Alcoholic beverages: prohibit sale of any alcohol without liquid machine without premarket approval (see H.R. 5173), H7863 [29SE]

Business and industry: prohibit certain unfair or deceptive acts relative to gift cards (see S. 2969), S10986 [9OC]

———require employees at call centers who initiate or receive telephone calls to disclose physical location of such employees (see H.R. 3816), H515 [11FE]

Cemeteries and funerals: establish consumer protections for funeral service contracts (see H.R. 4112), H2018 [1AP]

———establish consumer protections for funeral service contracts, and improve funeral home, cemetery, and crematory inspection systems (see S. 3023), S11799 [20NO]

Children and youth: provide for infant crib safety (see S. 2016), S184 [22JA]

———regulate interstate commerce by prohibiting the sale of children's personally identifiable information for commercial marketing purposes (see S. 2160), S2105 [3MR] (see H.R. 4955), H6703 [22JY]

Computers: criminalize Internet scams involving fraudulently obtaining personal information, commonly known as phishing (see S. 2636), S7896 [9JY]

———discourage spyware (see H.R. 4661), H4893 [23JN]

———prohibit misappropriation of databases while ensuring consumer access to factual information (see H.R. 3872), H752 [2MR]

———regulate unauthorized installation of computer software and require disclosure to users of certain software features that pose a threat to user privacy (see S. 2131), S1683 [26FE] (see S. 2145), S1891 [27FE]

CPSC: declare Yo-Yo Waterball toys to be a banned hazardous product (see H.R. 5172), H7863 [29SE]

———issue a rule banning children's toys containing mercury (see H.R. 4828), H5654 [13JY]

Credit: ban abusive credit practices, enhance consumer disclosures and protect underage consumers (see S. 2755), S8688 [22JY]

———establish an equitable ceiling on credit card interest rates (see H.R. 5138), H7574 [23SE]

———impose restrictions on high-cost mortgages, revise fees and charges on certain loans, prohibit unfair or deceptive practices by mortgage brokers and creditors, and provide counseling about predatory lenders (see H.R. 3974), H1116 [16MR]

———protect the credit records of consumers who are affected by federally declared disasters (see H.R. 4220), H2405 [27AP]

———require enhanced disclosure regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt (see S. 2475), S6087 [21MY]

Credit cards: prevent issuers from taking advantage of traditional college students and protect parents of such students (see H.R. 5060), H6997 [9SE]

Crime: provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (see H.R. 4358), H3015 [13MY]

Dept. of Defense: limit closure of commissary and exchange stores and facilities and Dept. of Defense dependent elementary and secondary schools (see S. 2368), S4692 [29AP]

Dept. of HHS: establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (see S. 2597), S7435 [24JN] (see H.R. 4681), H4926 (see H.R. 4681), H5070 [24JN]

Dept. of the Treasury: extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (see H.R. 4634), H4764 [22JN] (see H.R. 4772), H5330 [7JY]

Expedited Funds Availability Act: redress imbalances between faster withdrawals permitted under the Check 21 Act and slower rates for crediting deposits (see H.R. 5410), H10078 [19NO]

FDA: prohibit price gouging during a shortage of a covered vaccine (see H.R. 5404), H10078 [19NO]

———provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products (see S. 2461), S5949 [20MY] (see S. 2974), S11090 [10OC] (see H.R. 4433), H3438 (see H.R. 4433), H3538 [20MY]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: amend regulations on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising (see S. 2445), S5799 [19MY]

———establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (see S. 2464), S5949 [20MY] (see H.R. 3880), H830 [3MR]

FERC: establish reliability standards for the electric transmission system (see S. 2014), S108 [21JA]

Financial institutions: allow credit unions to provide international money transfer services to nonmembers and require certain disclosures in connection with any international money transfer (see H.R. 4348), H2917 [12MY]

———clarify applicability of State law to national banks (see S. 2973), S10986 [9OC]

———extend certain protections to international remittance transfers of funds originating in the U.S. (see S. 2868), S10061 [30SE] (see H.R. 5315), H9048 [8OC]

Fire prevention: establish comprehensive fire safety standards for upholstered furniture, mattresses, bedclothing, and candles (see H.R. 4233), H2482 [28AP]

Food: ensure consumers receive information about the nutritional content of restaurant food and vending machine food (see S. 2108), S1518 [24FE]

Food industry: require FDA premarket review and oversight of all genetically engineered foods (see S. 2546), S6997 [17JN]

Foreign trade: require country-of-origin labeling of all forms of ginseng (see S. 2452), S5949 [20MY] (see H.R. 4456), H3439 (see H.R. 4456), H3539 [20MY]

FTC: establish an Office of Consumer Advocacy and Outreach (see S. 3030), S11897 [7DE]

———monitor and investigate gasoline prices under certain circumstances (see S. 2631), S7828 [8JY]

Health: protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (see S. 2083), S1286 [12FE] (see H.R. 4628), H4646 [21JN]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (H.R. 4628), consideration (see H. Res. 773), H7138 [14SE]

Insurance: provide consumers a choice of auto insurance, guarantee affordable premiums, and improve compensation for accident victims (see S. 2931), S10703 [7OC]

———provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (see H.R. 4662), H4893 [23JN]

Investments: enhance mutual fund investor protections (see S. 2497), S6450 [3JN]

Labeling: require warning labels on consumer products containing radio frequency identification devices (see H.R. 4673), H4893 [23JN]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (see S. 2530), S6881 [16JN]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (see S. 2234), S3180 [25MR]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (see S. 2053), S689 [6FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 3707), H35 [20JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (see S. 2714), S8548 [21JY]

———require providers to disclose staffing and performance data (see H.R. 4374), H3093 [17MY]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs (see H.R. 4321), H2733 [10MY]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (see S. 2512), S6628 [8JN]

Motor vehicles: allow State regulation of tow truck operations (see H.R. 4860), H5983 [19JY]

———encourage the acceleration, production, retail sale, and consumer use of new intelligent vehicle technology safety systems (see H.R. 4931), H6702 [22JY]

———inclusion of Government safety information on new vehicle stickers (see S. 2026), S247 [26JA]

———protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, and repair their motor vehicles (see S. 2138), S1683 [26FE]

———require car dealers to disclose the presence of event data recorders (``black boxes'') on new automobiles and require the option to enable and disable such devices on future automobiles (see H.R. 5305), H9048 [8OC]

———require Government testing of impact on children of vehicle rollovers and finalize rulemaking on requiring installation of child-safe power window switches (see S. 2024), S247 [26JA]

———require study on tire aging to determine when tire age becomes a safety problem (see S. 2028), S247 [26JA]

Pharmaceuticals: importation of prescription drugs (see S. 2307), S4024 [8AP] (see S. 2328), S4225 [21AP] (see H.R. 3710), H35 [20JA]

———permit importation of prescription drugs from Canada and certain other countries (see H.R. 4790), H5470 [9JY]

———standardize certification of Internet pharmacies and prohibit certain advertising activities and the use of certain bank instruments for purchases associated with illegal Internet pharmacies (see H.R. 4612), H4579 [18JN]

Privacy: ensure protection of personally identifiable information outsourced abroad through increased disclosure, compliance with U.S. privacy standards, and accountability (see S. 2472), S5950 [20MY] (see S. 2481), S6274 [1JN]

———provide penalties for accessing certain electronic communications in a manner that violates consumer privacy (see H.R. 4956), H6703 [22JY]

———regulate the transmission of personally identifiable information to foreign affiliates and subcontrctors (see S. 2312), S4024 [8AP] (see S. 2471), S5950 [20MY]

Product safety: increase public availability of information on clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biological products, and devices (see H.R. 5252), H8857 [7OC]

Protecting Older Americans From Fraud Month: designate (see S. Res. 424), S9221 [14SE]

Public utilities: improve reliability of electric transmission system (see S. 2236), S3180 [25MR]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system (H.R. 3004), consideration (see H. Res. 708), H5330 [7JY]

Safety: provide for safe equestrian helmets (see S. 2254), S3294 [29MR]

Senior citizens: establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see S. 2930), S10703 [7OC]

———establish regional consumer price indices to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 4054), H1643 [29MR]

———support programs and activities to prevent perpetrators of fraud from victimizing senior citizens (see H. Res. 852), H9184 [9OC]

Taxation: assist low-income taxpayers in preparing and filing tax returns and increase protections against certain refund anticipation loan providers (see H.R. 3983), H1229 [17MR]

———exempt low-income senior citizens from the communications excise tax and other fees collected for costs associated with universal and toll service (see H.R. 5225), H8407 [6OC]

———extend the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (see S. 2084), S1286 [12FE] (see S. 2348), S4373 [26AP]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), corrections in enrollment (see S. Con. Res. 146), S11429 [17NO]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualfied health pooling arrangements (see H.R. 4356), H2918 [12MY]

———provide tax incentives to encourage manufacturers of computer and television equipment to operate environmentally sound recycling program for consumers discarding equipment (see H.R. 4553), H3963 [14JN]

Television: enhance ability of direct broadcast satellite providers to offer additional local broadcast services to consumers under limited circumstances (see S. 2669), S8229 [15JY]

———ensure carriage of direct broadcast satellite television signals by satellite carriers to consumers in rural areas (see S. 2644), S8030 [13JY]

———repeal regulations that interfere with a consumer's ability to obtain desired programming from cable or satellite providers and that would increase the price of a television set (see H.R. 4024), H1483 [24MR]

Trademarks: clarify that service marks, collective marks, and certification marks are entitled to the same protections, rights, and privileges as trademarks (see S. 2796), S9130 [13SE] (see H.R. 5194), H7944 [30SE]

Treaties and agreements: oppose inclusion in future free trade agreements provisions that would negatively impact the implementation of legislation authorizing the importation of prescription drugs (see H. Res. 758), H6899 [8SE]

Water: allow small public water systems to request exemption from national primary drinking water requirements for a naturally occurring contaminant (see H.R. 4717), H5149 [25JN]

Cloture motions

Taxation: make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), S4406, S4422 [27AP], S4641, S4642, S4646 [29AP]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), motion to proceed, S4333 [22AP], S4361 [26AP]

Explanations

Clarify That Service Marks, Collective Marks, and Certification Marks are Entitled to the Same Protections, Rights, and Privileges as Trademarks (S. 2796), S9518 [22SE]

Factsheets

Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act (S. 2475), S6095 [21MY]

Letters

Bankruptcy reform: Edith H. Jones, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, H151, H219 [28JA]

———Representative Oxley, Committee on Financial Services (House), H156 [28JA]

———Representative Sensenbrenner, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H156 [28JA]

———William H. Donaldson, SEC, H220 [28JA]

Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act: Travis B. Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, Adam Goldberg, Consumers Union, and Edmund Mierzwinski, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, S6094 [21MY]

FDA authority to regulate tobacco products: Andrew Carter, Ohio Children's Hospital Association, S10936 [9OC], S11022 [10OC]

———John F. Scruggs, Altria Group, Inc., S11207 [11OC]

———John L. Kirkwood, American Lung Association, S10936 [9OC], S11023 [10OC]

———M. Cass Wheeler, American Heart Association, S10937 [9OC], S11023 [10OC]

———Matthew L. Myers, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (organization), S10937 [9OC], S11022 [10OC]

———several individuals, S10939, S10940 [9OC]

———Sharon I.S. Rounds, American Thoracic Society, S10936 [9OC], S11023 [10OC]

———Steven C. Parrish, Altria Group, Inc., S11207 [11OC]

Importation of prescription drugs: Tommy G. Thompson, Sec. of HHS, S8213 [15JY]

International Remittance Consumer Protection Act: Gail Hillebrand, Consumers Union, Jean A. Fox, Consumer Federation of America, Margot Saunders, National Consumer Law Center, and Edmund Mierzwinsky, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, S10068 [30SE]

———Gustavo Torres, CASA of Maryland, Inc., S10068 [30SE]

———Raul Yzaguirre, National Council of La Raza, S10067 [30SE]

———Wade Henderson and Nancy Zirkin, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (organization), S10067 [30SE]

Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act: Loren L. Chumley, Tennessee Dept. of Revenue, S4352 [26AP], S4639 [29AP]

———National Governors Association, S4419 [27AP]

Mutual fund investor protections enhancements: several organizations, S6455 [3JN]

Mutual Fund Reform Act: several consumers' organizations, S795-S797 [10FE]

Provide FDA with certain authority to regulate tobacco products: Allison R. Shulman, National Association of Convenience Stores, S8175 [15JY]

———American Conservative Union, S8175 [15JY]

———Association of National Advertisers, American Association of Advertising Agencies, and American Advertising Federation, S8175 [15JY]

———Scott Ramminger, American Wholesale Marketers Association, S8177 [15JY]

Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass (SPY ACT) Act: Avi Nader, WhenU.com, Inc., H8088 [5OC]

———Bruce J. Goodman, Humana Inc., H8087 [5OC]

———Jack Krumholtz, Microsoft Corp., H8087 [5OC]

———Jennifer Jacobsen, Time Warner Inc., H8086 [5OC]

———John Scheibel, Yahoo! Inc., H8087 [5OC]

———Keith Smith, 180solutions (company), H8088 [5OC]

———Robert W. Holleyman II, Business Software Alliance, H8086 [5OC]

———Tod H. Cohen, eBay Inc., H8087 [5OC]

———Walter B. McCormick, Jr., U.S. Telecom Association, H8088 [5OC]

Lists

Supporters of DeWine/Kennedy amendment to H.R. 4520, Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, to provide the FDA with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, S8177 [15JY]

Unfunded Federal mandates created by H.R. 49, Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act, S4349 [26AP]

Unfunded Federal mandates created by S. 150, Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act, S4350 [26AP]

Motions

Taxation: make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), S4666 [29AP]

Press releases

MALDEF Applauds Sarbanes Bill To Regulate Remittances and Protect Latinos' Consumer Rights: Ann Marie Tallman, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (organization), S10067 [30SE]

Questions and answers

Importation of prescription drugs (S. 2307), S4045 [8AP]

Remarks in House

Armed Forces: protect from instant payday lenders charging high interest rates operating near military bases, H10929 [7DE]

Bankruptcy: reform, H144-H222 [28JA]

Computers: discourage spyware (H.R. 4661), H8088 [5OC], H8250-H8252 [6OC], E1235 [24JN]

———protect Internet users from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs (H.R. 2929), H8080-H8089 [5OC]

———regulate the transmission of unsolicited commercial e-mail (S. 877), E5 [20JA], E72, E73 [28JA]

Courts: allow civil action against food manufacturers or sellers who negligently violate Federal or State statues causing injury relative to a person's weight gain, obesity, or related health condition, H961-H964 [10MR]

———prevent frivolous lawsuits, H7221 [15SE]

———prevent frivolous lawsuits and reform class action lawsuit procedures, H2143 [2AP], H2186 [20AP]

Credit: prevent identity theft and improve resolution of credit disputes, accuracy of consumer records, and the use of, and consumer access to, credit information (H.R. 2622), conference report, H2391 [27AP]

———protect the credit records of consumers who are affected by federally declared disasters (H.R. 4220), E663 [27AP]

Credit unions: tribute, E880 [17MY]

Crime: clarify and strengthen laws relative to cyberstalking, H2626 [5MY]

———establish penalties for aggravated identity theft (H.R. 1731), H4808-H4811 [23JN], E2056 [18NO]

———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (H.R. 4358), E854 [14MY]

Dept. of HUD: real estate settlement costs final rule, E6 [20JA]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H1624-H1630 [29MR]

Enron Corp.: manipulation of energy market in order to increase prices, H3576 [1JN], H3724, H3749 [3JN], H3975, H3976, H4122, H4147-H4153 [15JN], H4293 [17JN], H5094 [25JN], E1158 [18JN]

———payment of restitution to those impacted by energy market manipulation, H5334, H5335, H5387 [8JY]

FCC: court ruling on triennial review rulemaking on local phone competition and broadband deployment, H835, H843 [4MR], E289, E295 [3MR], E305, E308 [4MR], E329, E332 [9MR]

———economic impact of deregulating the deployment of broadband facilities, E30 [21JA]

FDA: provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, H7582 [28SE]

Financial institutions: impact of certain expedited mergers between depository institutions on communities and customers, H1240, H1267, H1268 [18MR]

Firearms: ensure greater accountability by licensed dealers (H.R. 1540), E633 [22AP]

Food: ensure that consumers receive information about the nutritional content of restaurant foods (H.R. 3444), H936 [10MR]

———reassessment of labeling laws, E1926 [11OC]

———require foods containing known allergens to bear labeling that states that fact and the names of the allergens (H.R. 3684), E1496, E1507 [22JY]

Labeling: require warning labels on consumer products containing radio frequency identification devices (H.R. 4673), E1224 [24JN]

Medicare: permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, H485 [11FE], H534 [24FE], H3610 [2JN], H3945, H3946 [14JN]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs, H484 [11FE], H2701 [6MY]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs, H5921 [19JY]

Motor vehicles: allow State regulation of tow truck operations (H.R. 4860), E1412 [19JY]

———encourage the acceleration, production, retail sale, and consumer use of new intelligent vehicle technology safety systems (H.R. 4931), E1470 [22JY]

New Hampshire: tribute to Rx New Hampshire program for efforts to make affordable prescription drugs available to residents, E1806 [6OC]

Pharmaceuticals: importation of prescription drugs, H918 [9MR], H2191 [20AP], H2230 [21AP], H2521 [4MY], H2701 [6MY], H2991 [13MY], H3056 [17MY], H3378 [19MY], H3586, H3587, H3588 [1JN], H5615 [13JY], H5658, H5662-H5668, H5698-H5719 [14JY], E367 [16MR], E810 [11MY], E1885 [11OC]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2328), E1516 [22JY]

———permit commercial importation of prescription drugs from Canada, E291 [3MR]

Product safety: increase public availability of information on clinical trials to determine the safety and effectiveness of drugs, biological products, and devices (H.R. 5252), E1882 [11OC]

Senior citizens: promote elder justice (H.R. 2490), H7360 [22SE]

Taxation: assist low-income taxpayers in preparing and filing tax returns and increase protections against certain refund anticipation loan providers (H.R. 3983), E399 [17MR]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), H10025-H10029 [19NO], E2200 [7DE], E2211 [20DE]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), corrections in enrollment (S. Con. Res. 146), H10024 [19NO], E2211 [20DE]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualfied health pooling arrangements (H.R. 4356), H2975 [13MY], E843 [14MY]

———provide tax incentives to encourage manufacturers of computer and television equipment to operate environmentally sound recycling program for consumers discarding equipment (H.R. 4553), E1102 [14JN]

Television: repeal regulations that interfere with a consumer's ability to obtain desired programming from cable or satellite providers and that would increase the price of a television set (H.R. 4024), E442 [24MR]

Troy, OH: observance of U.P.C. Bar Code Day, E1265 [25JN]

Water: allow small public water systems to request exemption from national primary drinking water requirements for a naturally occurring contaminant (H.R. 4717), E1289 [25JN]

Remarks in Senate

Business and industry: require employees at call centers who initiate or receive telephone calls to disclose physical location of such employees (S. 1873), S3520 [1AP]

Cemeteries and funerals: establish consumer protections for funeral service contracts, and improve funeral home, cemetery, and crematory inspection systems (S. 3023), S11800 [20NO]

Children and youth: provide for infant crib safety (S. 2016), S186 [22JA]

———regulate interstate commerce by prohibiting the sale of children's personally identifiable information for commercial marketing purposes (S. 2160), S2106-S2109 [3MR]

Computers: criminalize Internet scams involving fraudulently obtaining personal information, commonly known as phishing (S. 2636), S7897 [9JY]

———protect consumer privacy of e-mail communications, S7893 [9JY]

———regulate unauthorized installation of computer software and require disclosure to users of certain software features that pose a threat to user privacy (S. 2131), S1684, S1685 [26FE]

Courts: jurisdiction over certain class actions brought by local prosecutors or private attorneys general, S7721 [7JY]

Credit: ban abusive credit practices, enhance consumer disclosures and protect underage consumers (S. 2755), S8743-S8746 [22JY]

———require enhanced disclosure regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt (S. 2475), S6093-S6096 [21MY], S7416 [24JN]

Crime: establish penalties for aggravated identity theft (H.R. 1731), S7527 [25JN]

Dept. of HHS: establish an Internet website designed to allow consumers to compare prices for covered outpatient drugs sold by retail pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program (S. 2597), S7474 [24JN]

Enron Corp.: manipulation of energy market in order to increase prices, S6432 [3JN], S6495-S6497 [7JN], S6877 [16JN], S6952 [17JN], S8145, S8223 [15JY], S8413 [19JY]

FDA: provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products, S8151-S8178, S8217, S8219 [15JY], S10934-S10942, S10944, S10959, S10969-S10972, S10977 [9OC], S11021-S11025, S11030, S11034 [10OC], S11205, S11216, S11243, S11244 [11OC]

———provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products (S. 2461), S5961-S5963, S5979 [20MY]

———provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products (S. 2974), S11068, S11091 [10OC]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (S. 2464), S5983-S5985 [20MY]

FERC: establish reliability standards for the electric transmission system (S. 2014), S118-S121 [21JA], S173 [22JA]

Financial institutions: clarify applicability of State law to national banks (S. 2973), S10988 [9OC]

———extend certain protections to international remittance transfers of funds originating in the U.S. (S. 2868), S10063-S10065 [30SE]

Fire prevention: establish comprehensive fire safety standards for upholstered furniture, mattresses, bedclothing, and candles (S. 1798), S1267 [12FE]

Food: ensure consumers receive information about the nutritional content of restaurant food and vending machine food (S. 2108), S1523 [24FE]

Food industry: require FDA premarket review and oversight of all genetically engineered foods (S. 2546), S7019 [17JN]

Foreign trade: require country-of-origin labeling of all forms of ginseng (S. 2452), S5952 [20MY]

FTC: establish an Office of Consumer Advocacy and Outreach (S. 3030), S11900 [7DE]

———monitor and investigate gasoline prices under certain circumstances (S. 2631), S7867 [8JY], S7900 [9JY]

Health: protect patients' access to quality and affordable health care by reducing effects of excessive liability costs (S. 11), S1484 [24FE], S1995 [2MR]

———protection of enrollees in managed care plans and HMO's (S. 2083), S1294 [12FE]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (S. 1518), S1432 [23FE]

Health care professionals: provide immediate relief from increased medical malpractice insurance costs by establishing a tax credit and reimbursement of premiums for some doctors and hospitals, S2937 [22MR], S5174, S5175 [11MY]

Insurance: ensure that commercial insurers cannot engage in price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations to the detriment of competition and consumers (S. 352), S1429 [23FE], S3764 [6AP]

———provide consumers a choice of auto insurance, guarantee affordable premiums, and improve compensation for accident victims (S. 2931), S10727 [7OC]

Internet Tax Freedom Act: extend certain grandfather provisions, S4657, S4662-S4666 [29AP]

———require a GAO study on the impact on State and local governments and on broadband deployment, S4658 [29AP]

Investments: enhance mutual fund investor protections (S. 2497), S6452-S6454 [3JN]

Medicare: allow beneficiaries to purchase multiple prescription drug discount cards and to receive a refund of the enrollment fee if prices or the formulary used by the card sponsor changes (S. 2530), S7037 [18JN]

———ensure that prescription drug discount card sponsors pass along discounts to beneficiaries (S. 2234), S3185 [25MR], S3319 [30MR]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, S6301 [2JN]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (S. 2053), S628 [5FE], S1276 [12FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to negotiate fair prescription drugs prices for beneficiaries, S2398 [9MR]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1994), S8191 [15JY]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 1999), S105 [21JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 2714), S8561, S8574 [21JY], S8792 [22JY]

———simplify prescription drug discount card program (S. 2512), S6631 [8JN]

Motor vehicles: inclusion of Government safety information on new vehicle stickers (S. 2026), S214 [23JA]

———require Government testing of impact on children of vehicle rollovers and finalize rulemaking on requiring installation of child-safe power window switches (S. 2024), S214 [23JA]

———require study on tire aging to determine when tire age becomes a safety problem (S. 2028), S214 [23JA]

National Tire Safety Week: observance, S4764 [3MY]

Pharmaceuticals: importation of prescription drugs, S2700 [11MR], S2760, S2761 [12MR], S3524 [1AP], S3741 [6AP], S5053 [10MY], S8096 [14JY], S8179, S8180, S8185, S8191, S8196-S8199, S8207, S8211, S8214 [15JY], S9156-S9158 [14SE], S10961 [9OC], S11551 [19NO]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2307), S4042-S4044 [8AP]

———importation of prescription drugs (S. 2328), S4227-S4230 [21AP], S8498 [21JY], S8932 [8SE], S9072 [10SE], S10411, S10412 [5OC]

———permit importation of prescription drugs from Canada and certain other countries (H.R. 4790), S8932 [8SE]

Privacy: ensure protection of personally identifiable information outsourced abroad through increased disclosure, compliance with U.S. privacy standards, and accountability (S. 2472), S6006, S6009 [20MY]

———ensure protection of personally identifiable information outsourced abroad through increased disclosure, compliance with U.S. privacy standards, and accountability (S. 2481), S6275 [1JN]

———regulate the transmission of personally identifiable information to foreign affiliates and subcontractors, S5205 [11MY]

Protecting Older Americans From Fraud Month: designate (S. Res. 424), S10460 [5OC]

Public utilities: improve reliability of electric transmission system, S3992 [8AP]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system (S. 2236), S3174, S3197 [25MR], S3217 [26MR], S3977 [8AP], S4284 [22AP], S4989 [6MY], S8145, S8146, S8148 [15JY]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system (S. 2236), unanimous-consent request, S3979 [8AP]

Railroads: enhance competition, S1996 [2MR]

Senior citizens: promote elder justice (S. 333), S11888-S11890 [7DE], S12047 [8DE]

Taxation: assist low-income taxpayers in preparing and filing tax returns and increase protections against certain refund anticipation loan providers (S. 685), S7416 [24JN]

———clarify definition of Internet access service relative to moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce, S4405 [27AP], S4668, S4671 [29AP]

———extend the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce, S4403, S4404, S4419 [27AP], S4453-S4466, S4468-S4471 [28AP], S4647, S4667, S4668 [29AP]

———extend the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 2084), S1295 [12FE]

———extend the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 2348), S4379 [26AP], S4443 [27AP]

———incentives to ensure timely and equitable access to the Internet over current and future generations of broadband capability, S4896 [5MY], S5209 [11MY]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), S4402-S4422 [27AP], S4453-S4466, S4468-S4471, S4479-S4484 [28AP], S4630, S4635-S4647, S4651, S4655-S4659, S4661-S4671 [29AP], S4991 [6MY], S9068 [10SE], S11626, S11627 [19NO], S11670-S11674, S11678 [20NO]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), corrections in enrollment (S. Con. Res. 146), S11398 [17NO]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), motion to proceed, S4333 [22AP], S4337-S4339, S4345-S4367 [26AP], S4390-S4402 [27AP]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), unanimous-consent agreement, S4367 [26AP]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualified health pooling arrangements, S9544 [23SE]

———treatment of broadband Internet access, S4347, S4348 [26AP]

———treatment of voice services over the Internet, S4661, S4662 [29AP]

Telecommunications: regulatory treatment of broadband providers, S11671 [20NO]

Trademarks: clarify that service marks, collective marks, and certification marks are entitled to the same protections, rights, and privileges as trademarks (S. 2796), S9140 [13SE], S9518 [22SE], S10422 [5OC], S10488 [6OC]

Transportation: improve consumer protection regulation of the household goods moving industry, S1235 [12FE]

TXU Corp.: manipulation of energy market in order to increase prices, S8146 [15JY]

Reports filed

American Home Fire Safety Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1798), S11377 [16NO]

Consumer Access to Information Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3872) (H. Rept. 108-437), H1116 [16MR]

Elder Justice Act: Committee on Finance (Senate) (S. 333), S9812 [28SE]

Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 1731) (H. Rept. 108-528), H3820 [8JN]

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 4661) (H. Rept. 108-698), H7574 [23SE]

Protecting Older Americans From Fraud Month: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. Res. 424), S10059 [30SE]

Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Rural Consumer Access to Digital Television Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2644), S11639 [19NO]

———Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2644) (S. Rept. 108-427), S11897 [7DE]

Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass (SPY ACT) Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2929) (H. Rept. 108-619), H6126 [20JY]

Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge (SPY BLOCK) Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2145), S11639 [19NO]

———Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 2145) (S. Rept. 108-424), S11897 [7DE]

Terrorism Insurance Backstop Extension Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 4634) (H. Rept. 108-780), H9999 [18NO]

Wireless 411 Privacy Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1963), S11639 [19NO]

———Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1963) (S. Rept. 108-423), S11897 [7DE]

Rulings of the Chair

Taxation: make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (S. 150), S4646 [29AP]

Statements

Elder Justice Act: Mark Shalloway, S11889 [7DE]

———Nick Cox, S11889 [7DE]

NGA Supports Reasonable Extension of the Internet Tax Freedom Act: National Governors Association, S4418 [27AP], S4640 [29AP]

Summaries

Importation of Prescription Drugs (S. 2307), S4044 [8AP]

Internet Tax Ban Extension and Improvement Act (S. 2084): Michael Mazerov, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, S4352 [26AP]

Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act (S. 2328), S4228 [21AP]

Texts of

H.R. 1731, Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act, H4808 [23JN]

H.R. 2929, Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass (SPY ACT) Act, H8080-H8083 [5OC]

H.R. 4661, Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act, H8250 [6OC]

S. 150, Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act, S4669 [29AP], H10025 [19NO]

S. 2024, Safe Kids, Safe Cars Act, S247 [26JA]

S. 2026, Consumer Vehicle Safety Awareness Act, S250 [26JA]

S. 2028, Tire Safety Awareness Act, S252 [26JA]

S. 2084, Internet Tax Ban Extension and Improvement Act, S1294 [12FE]

S. 2131, Controlling Invasive and Unauthorized Software Act, S1685-S1688 [26FE]

S. 2145, Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge (SPY BLOCK) Act, S1893-S1895 [27FE]

S. 2160, Children's Listbroker Privacy Act, S2107 [3MR]

S. 2254, Equestrian Helmet Safety Act, S3298 [29MR]

S. 2452, Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act, S5952 [20MY]

S. 2461, Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, S5963-S5979 [20MY]

S. 2472, Increasing Notice of Foreign Outsourcing Act, S6007-S6009 [20MY]

S. 2475, Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act, S6095 [21MY]

S. 2481, Increasing Notice of Foreign Outsourcing Act, S6276-S6278 [1JN]

S. 2546, Genetically Engineered Foods Act, S7020-S7023 [17JN]

S. 2597, Prescription Drug Price Comparison for Savings Act, S7474 [24JN]

S. 2714, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act, S8561 [21JY]

S. 2796, clarify that service marks, collective marks, and certification marks are entitled to the same protections, rights, and privileges as trademarks, S9141 [13SE], S10488 [6OC]

S. 2868, International Remittance Consumer Protection Act, S10065-S10067 [30SE]

S. 2969, Fair Gift Card Act, S10986 [9OC]

S. 2973, Preservation of Federalism in Banking Act, S10989 [9OC]

S. 2974, Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, S11068-S11084, S11091-S11107 [10OC]

S. Con. Res. 146, corrections in enrollment of S. 150, Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act, S11398, S11435 [17NO], H10024 [19NO]

S. Res. 424, Protecting Older Americans From Fraud Month, S9231 [14SE], S10460 [5OC]