CONSUMERS related term(s) Credit; Product Safety

Amendments

Bankruptcy: amend laws (S. 256), S1810 [28FE], S1821, S1828, S1829, S1835, S1849, S1850, S1878, S1879, S1880, S1881 [1MR], S1895, S1908, S1910, S1911, S1918, S1920, S1925, S1952, S1953, S1954, S1955 [2MR], S1980, S1984, S1985, S1986, S1996, S2046, S2048, S2049 [3MR], S2074, S2085, S2086, S2097 [4MR], S2125, S2133, S2134, S2135, S2136, S2137, S2138, S2139, S2172, S2173, S2174, S2175, S2176, S2177, S2178, S2180, S2181, S2182, S2183, S2184, S2185, S2186, S2187, S2188, S2197 [7MR], S2203, S2229, S2230, S2276, S2277, S2288 [8MR], S2318, S2403 [9MR], S2463 [10MR], H1897 [12AP]

———amend laws (S. 256), consideration (H. Res. 211), H1991 [14AP]

Courts: amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), S1101, S1110, S1142 [8FE], S1157, S1165, S1166, S1184, S1215, S1216 [9FE], H743 [17FE]

Law enforcement: clarify the prohibition on the trafficking in goods or services (S. 1095), S12712 [10NO]

Analyses

Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act: John J. LaFalce, E2156 [24OC]

Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act (S. 832), S3828 [18AP], S4102-S4104 [21AP]

Articles and editorials

Class-Action Lawsuits, S1005 [7FE]

Credit Card Firms Won as Users Lost, S2070 [4MR]

Credit Card Penalties, Fees Bury Debtors, S2124 [7MR]

Credit Card Penalties, Fees Bury Debtors; Senate Nears Action on Bankruptcy Curbs, S5226-S5228 [16MY], H2071-H2073 [14AP]

Judges Say Overhaul Would Weaken Bankruptcy System, H2062 [14AP]

Proposed Law on Bankruptcy Has Loophole, S1993 [3MR]

Reining in Class-Action Abuses, S1188 [9FE]

U.S. Blocks Drugs Sent From Canada, H1329 [10MR]

Bills and resolutions

Alcoholic beverages: prohibit sale of any alcohol without liquid machine without premarket approval (see H.R. 613), H410 [8FE]

Armed Forces: enhance protection of members and their spouses from unscrupulous financial services sales practices through increased consumer education (see S. 1028), S5071 [12MY] (see H.R. 3472), H6933 [27JY]

Aviation: promote greater access to air transportation (see H.R. 488), H285 [1FE]

———require air carriers to honor tickets for bankrupt air service (see H.R. 89), H74 [4JA]

Bankruptcy: amend laws (see S. 256), S739 [1FE] (see H.R. 685), H521 [9FE]

———amend laws (S. 256), consideration (see H. Res. 211), H1967 [13AP]

———exempt from means testing certain National Guard and Reserve members (see H.R. 1860), H2549 [26AP] (see H.R. 2060), H2879 [3MY]

———limit claims in bankruptcy by certain unsecured creditors (see S. 1879), S11422 [17OC]

———limit exemption for asset protection trusts (see H.R. 1278), H1416 [14MR]

———reform rules governing venue in bankruptcy cases to combat forum shopping by corporate debtors (see S. 314), S1115 [8FE]

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: delay effective date (see H.R. 3662), H7673 [6SE]

Business and industry: prohibit price gouging during certain disasters and emergencies, H7813 [8SE] (see S. 1640), S9833 [8SE] (see S. 1854), S11212 [6OC] (see H.R. 3681), H7741 [7SE] (see H.R. 3808), H8088 [15SE]

Children and youth: limit exposure of children to violent video games (see S. 2126), S13786 [16DE]

Clothing industry: provide access to information about sweatshop conditions (see H.R. 4613), H12049 [16DE]

Colleges and universities: establish demonstration program to support communities that wish to expand bookstore services and savings for students through creation of course material rental programs (see S. 1384), S8134 [12JY] (see H.R. 3259), H5740 [12JY]

Computers: criminalize Internet scams involving fraudulently obtaining personal information, commonly known as phishing (see S. 472), S1794 [28FE] (see H.R. 1099), H982 [3MR]

———discourage spyware (see H.R. 744), H581 [10FE]

———protect Internet users from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs (see H.R. 29), H72 [4JA]

———regulate unauthorized installation of computer software and require disclosure to users of certain software features that pose a threat to user privacy (see S. 687), S3105 [20MR]

Courts: allow persons who bring a product liability action for injuries sustained from a product not in compliance with CPSC standards to recover triple damages (see H.R. 1757), H2469 [21AP]

———amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (see S. 5), S435 [25JA] (see H.R. 516), H348 [2FE]

———amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), consideration (see H. Res. 96), H627 [15FE]

———discourage frivolous, vexatious, or objectively baseless lawsuits (see H.R. 773), H583 [10FE]

CPSC: ban realistic toy handguns (see H.R. 236), H79 [4JA]

———classify certain children's products containing lead as banned hazardous substances (see S. 2048), S13161 [17NO] (see H.R. 668), H412 [8FE]

———confirm jurisdiction over child safety devices for handguns (see H.R. 2217), H3112 [10MY]

———declare Yo-Yo Waterball toys to be a banned hazardous product (see H.R. 3738), H7860 [13SE]

———issue a rule to prevent injuries to users of vending machines (see H.R. 2898), H4485 [14JN]

———issue regulations concerning the safety and labeling of certain furniture and electronic appliances (see H.R. 1861), H2550 [26AP]

———issue regulations concerning the safety and labeling of portable generators (see S. 2084), S13501 [13DE]

———issue regulations mandating child-resistant closures on all portable gasoline containers (see H.R. 4023), H8807 [7OC]

———issue safety standards for lead-containing dishware (see H.R. 4154), H9275 [26OC]

———issue standards addressing open flame ignition of consumer products containing polyurethane (see H.R. 943), H794 [17FE]

———promulgate a product safety standard that requires certain manufacturers to establish and maintain a system for providing notification of recalls to consumers (see H.R. 1013), H846 [1MR]

———restore jurisdiction over fixed site amusement park rides (see H.R. 2500), H3694 [19MY]

———strengthen regulations concerning the flammability of children's clothing (see H.R. 4185), H9472 [1NO]

Credit: ban abusive credit practices, enhance consumer disclosures and protect underage consumers (see S. 499), S1931 [2MR]

———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. 1182), H1263 [9MR]

———improve ratings quality through competition, transparency, and accountability in the credit rating agency industry (see H.R. 2990), H4802 [20JN]

———prohibit predatory payday loans (see S. 1878), S11422 [17OC]

———protect consumers from payday lenders demanding exorbitant interest rates and participating in other unfair practices (see H.R. 1660), H2101 [14AP]

———provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan (see S. 1040), S5219 [16MY] (see H.R. 4413), H11034 [18NO]

———require disclosure of terms of rental-purchase agreements (see S. 603), S2517 [11MR] (see H.R. 1651), H2101 [14AP]

———require enhanced disclosure regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt (see S. 393), S1513 [16FE] (see H.R. 3852), H8247 [21SE]

Credit cards: prevent issuers from taking advantage of traditional college students and protect parents of such students (see H.R. 1208), H1264 [9MR]

———protect consumers from unfair practices of issuers (see H.R. 3492), H6934 [27JY]

Crime: prevent identity fraud (see S. 768), S3481 [12AP]

———provide grants for regional task forces to more effectively investigate and prosecute identity theft and other economic crimes (see H.R. 4244), H9962 [7NO]

———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (see S. 1699), S10037 [14SE] (see H.R. 32), H72 [4JA]

Dept. of Agriculture: strengthen ability to regulate pet industry (see S. 1139), S6021 [26MY] (see H.R. 2669), H4139 [26MY]

Dept. of Energy: establish a Gasoline Availability Stabilization Reserve (see H.R. 3792), H8087 [15SE]

Dept. of Homeland Security: notify passengers when they are flying on an aircraft carrying unscreened cargo (see H.R. 4353), H10502 [16NO]

Dept. of HUD: provide grants to States, local governments, and nonprofit organizations for education programs on predatory lending and establish a toll-free number for complaints (see H.R. 200), H77 [4JA]

Dept. of Justice: expand powers and jurisdiction to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and sale of firearms and ammunition (see H.R. 711), H522 [9FE]

Dept. of the Treasury: extend Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (see H.R. 1153), H1023 [8MR]

Dept. of Transportation: issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside motor vehicles (see S. 1948), S12127 [1NO] (see H.R. 2230), H3112 [10MY]

Disasters: moratorium on payment of principal or interest on certain mortgage loans, small business loans, and consumer loans for residents of a Federal disaster area (see H. Con. Res. 257), H8643 [29SE]

———moratorium on payment of principal or interest on certain mortgage loans secured by residential or commercial real estate located in Hurricanes Katrina or Rita disaster areas (see H.R. 4027), H8807 [7OC]

———prohibit profiteering and fraud relative to relief or reconstruction efforts provided in response to a Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency (see H.R. 4148), H9275 [26OC]

Drugs: establish fairer pricing for prescription drugs for individuals without access to discounted prices (see H.R. 1655), H2101 [14AP]

———prohibit the manufacture, marketing, sale, or shipment of products designed to assist in defrauding a drug test (see H.R. 2802), H4295 [8JN]

———provide discounts to Medicaid and other Federal programs for the advertising costs of certain prescription drugs and ensure that these drugs are prescribed based on health needs rather than marketing (see S. 1128), S6021 [26MY]

Electronics: reduce and eliminate electronic waste through recycling (see S. 510), S2004 [3MR] (see H.R. 4316), H10161 [14NO]

EPA: extend date by which small public water systems must comply with the maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water (see H.R. 4495), H11327 [8DE]

Expedited Funds Availability Act: redress imbalances between faster withdrawals permitted under the Check 21 Act and slower rates for crediting deposits (see H.R. 799), H627 [15FE]

FAA: repeal perimeter rule for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and LaGuardia Airport (see S. 1599), S9468 [29JY]

Fair Credit Reporting Act: provide for secure financial data (see S. 2169), S14317 [21DE] (see H.R. 3375), H6326 [21JY] (see H.R. 3997), H8733 [6OC]

FCC: establish minimum public interest requirements for multi-cast digital television channels (see H.R. 2359), H3261 [12MY]

———prohibit from requiring digitial television tuners in television receivers (see H.R. 2354), H3261 [12MY]

FDA: provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products (see S. 666), S2995 [17MR] (see H.R. 1376), H1691 [17MR]

———require prior approval of advertisements for prescription drugs and restricted medical devices (see H.R. 3696), H7812 [8SE]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (see S. 399), S1513 [16FE] (see H.R. 840), H717 [16FE]

———prohibit sale or trade of prescription drugs that were knowingly adulterated or misbranded (see H.R. 2600), H3893 [24MY]

———safeguard public health and provide food that is safe, unadulterated, and honestly presented (see H.R. 2235), H3112 [10MY]

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. 1003), H846 [1MR]

———authorize demonstration project grants to entities to provide low-cost, small loans (see S. 1347), S7820 [30JN]

———establish a fair order of posting checks and deposits to prevent unjust fees that accrue only by virtue of the order used (see H.R. 4415), H11034 [18NO]

———extend certain protections to international remittance transfers of funds originating in the U.S. (see S. 31), S142 [24JA] (see H.R. 928), H793 [17FE]

———notify customers of unauthorized use of personal information (see S. 1216), S6299 [9JN] (see H.R. 3501), H7556 [28JY]

———preserve competitive equity in financial services (see H.R. 3882), H8341 [22SE]

———prohibit operators of automatic teller machines that display paid advertising from imposing any fee (see H.R. 1716), H2393 [20AP]

———prohibit use of identification issued by foreign governments, other than passports, for purposes of verifying identity of a person opening an account (see H.R. 815), H629 [15FE]

———protect from predatory mortgage lending practices (see H.R. 1994), H2736 [28AP]

———protect from predatory mortgage lending practices and provide housing counseling opportunities (see H.R. 4471), H11326 [8DE]

———protect from usury and unreasonable fees (see H.R. 1619), H1969 [13AP]

———protect innocent parties from certain fees imposed by depository institutions for dishonored checks (see H.R. 2643), H4073 [25MY]

———protect low and moderate income individuals from certain predatory lending practices (see H.R. 1643), H2100 [14AP]

———provide an exemption from certain requirements under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (see H.R. 2387), H3434 [17MY]

———require financial services providers to maintain customer information security systems and notify customers of unauthorized use of personal information (see S. 1594), S9468 [29JY]

———require notice before fees may be imposed for any overdraft protection service in connection with any transaction (see H.R. 4414), H11034 [18NO]

Firearms: ensure greater accountability by licensed dealers (see H.R. 4390), H11033 [18NO]

Food: amend inspection laws to notify consumers of products produced from crops, livestock, or poultry raised on sewage sludge-treated land (see H.R. 207), H78 [4JA]

———include freshness dates on food labeling (see H.R. 3570), H7559 [28JY]

———require foods containing certain ingredients derived from meat, poultry, or other animal products to bear labeling that states that fact and the names of such ingredients (see H.R. 3571), H7559 [28JY]

Foreign trade: require country-of-origin labeling for macadamia nuts (see H.R. 3535), H7557 [28JY]

———require country-of-origin labeling of all forms of ginseng (see S. 854), S4021 [20AP] (see H.R. 1740), H2394 [20AP]

FTC: conduct an inquiry into the retail price of gasoline (see S. 1610), S9645 [6SE]

———conduct an inquiry into the retail prices of natural gas and gasoline (see S. 1732), S10233 [20SE]

———enhance enforcement against illegal spam, spyware, and cross-border fraud and deception (see S. 1608), S9468 [29JY]

———establish and enforce procedures for protection of consumers from misuse of, and unauthorized access to, personal information contained in files maintained by certain businesses (see S. 1336), S7614 [29JN] (see S. 1461), S8664 [21JY]

———improve ability to protect consumers from price-gouging during energy emergencies (see S. 1735), S10233 [20SE]

———investigate and assess penalties for price gouging with respect to oil and gas products (see S. 1743), S10294 [21SE]

———issue rules which prohibit expiration dates and fees on gift certificates (see H.R. 85), H74 [4JA]

———monitor and investigate gasoline prices under certain circumstances (see S. 1146), S6021 [26MY] (see H.R. 2627), H4072 [25MY]

———provide with resources necessary to protect Internet users from unfair and deceptive acts and practices associated with spyware (see S. 1004), S4936 [11MY]

———require submission of a report to Congress on the retail price of gasoline (see H.R. 3718), H7813 [8SE]

———revise regulations regarding the ``do-not-call'' registry to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry (see H.R. 1950), H2734 [28AP]

———revise telemarketing rules to prohibit calls from certain political organizations to persons on the ``do-not-call'' registry (see H.R. 4072), H8918 [18OC]

GAO: conduct study on consolidation of gasoline refiners, importers, producers, and wholesalers with retail sellers (see H.R. 3688), H7742 [7SE]

Gasoline: ensure affordability and security (see S. 1868), S11313 [7OC]

———provide consumers with relief from high prices (see H.R. 3646), H7645 [2SE]

———stabilize prices (see H.R. 3544), H7558 [28JY]

Hazardous substances: reduce exposure of children, workers, and consumers to toxic chemical substances (see S. 1391), S8217 [13JY] (see H.R. 4308), H10156 [10NO]

Health: authorize Dept. of HHS and Dept. of Education joint grants for community outreach programs to empower patients and health care consumers (see H.R. 568), H351 [2FE]

———establish reasonable legal reforms that will facilitate the manufacture of vital, life-saving vaccines (see H.R. 650), H411 [8FE]

———expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (see S. 1955), S12238 [2NO]

———protect enrollees in managed care plans and other health coverage (see S. 1012), S5071 [12MY] (see H.R. 2259), H3196 [11MY] (see H.R. 2650), H4138 [26MY]

———reduce health care costs, expand access to affordable coverage, improve health care, and strengthen the health care safety net (see S. 4), S9157 [27JY] (see S. 1503), S8949 [26JY]

———require notification by manufacturers before discontinuing production of a vaccine and develop a national vaccine stockpile (see S. 226), S738 [1FE]

———require the FDA to disclose benefits of foods and dietary supplements and ensure the FTC bears the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements (see H.R. 4282), H10145 [9NO]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (see S. 1337), S7614 [29JN]

Health care facilities: provide for public disclosure of charges for certain hospital and ambulatory surgical center services and drugs (see H.R. 3139), H5599 [30JN]

———provide for public disclosure of charges for certain hospital services and drugs (see S. 1827), S11212 [6OC]

———require certain facilities to disclose charge-related information and to price protect treatments not covered by insurance as conditions for protection from certain legal actions (see H.R. 4450), H11109 [6DE]

Housing: combat unfair and deceptive practices in the high-cost mortgage market, strengthen civil remedies, promote uniform lending and appraisal standards, and establish licensing standards for mortgage brokers (see H.R. 1295), H1506 [15MR]

Information services: regulate information brokers and protect individual rights with respect to personally identifiable information (see S. 500), S2003 [3MR]

Insurance: ensure that commercial insurers cannot engage in price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations to the detriment of competition and consumers (see S. 1525), S9284 [28JY]

———provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (see S. 1015), S5071 [12MY] (see H.R. 2355), H3261 [12MY]

Iron and steel industry: urge the Dept. of Commerce and ITC to consider the impact of steel antidumping or countervailing duties on steel-consuming manufacturers and the economy when conducting sunset reviews (see H. Res. 84), H584 [10FE]

Kentucky: provide for competitive and reliable electricity transmission (see S. 1499), S8949 [26JY]

Law enforcement: clarify the prohibition on the trafficking in goods or services (see S. 1095), S5580 [20MY]

Legislative branch of the Government: establish coordinated program for reuse, recycling, and disposal of obsolete computers and other electronic equipment used by legislative offices (see H. Con. Res. 299), H10226 [15NO]

Medicaid: provide public disclosure of average manufacturer prices and best prices for prescription drugs (see H.R. 3546), H7558 [28JY]

———require drug manufacturers to report the average manufacturer price and the best price of authorized generic drugs and any other drugs sold under a certain new drug application to the Dept. of HHS (see S. 1903), S11665 [20OC]

Medicare: permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (see S. 239), S738 [1FE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (see H.R. 376), H233 [26JA]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 376), consideration (see H. Res. 267), H3055 [5MY]

———protect enrollees eligible for prescription drug benefit coverage from abusive marketing practices (see H.R. 4645), H12289 [18DE]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (see S. 123), S145 [24JA] (see S. 445), S1623 [17FE]

———provide incentives to physicians for writing electronic prescriptions (see S. 1910), S11768 [24OC]

———repeal Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund (see S. 124), S145 [24JA]

———require providers to disclose staffing and performance data to promote improved consumer information and choice (see H.R. 4349), H10502 [16NO]

———require the negotiation and disclosure of the lowest possible prices for prescription drugs and permit beneficiaries to import prescription drugs from Canada (see H.R. 563), H351 [2FE]

Mental health: extend provisions requiring parity in the application of certain limits to mental health benefits (see H.R. 4579), H12047 [16DE]

Motor vehicles: allow State regulation of tow truck operations (see H.R. 1173), H1024 [8MR]

———improve child safety (see S. 561), S2244 [8MR]

———include Government safety information on new vehicle stickers (see S. 560), S2244 [8MR]

———protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, and repair their motor vehicles (see H.R. 2048), H2879 [3MY]

NAFTA: encourage participating countries to promote parity relative to the personal exemption allowance for merchandise purchased abroad by returning residents (see H. Res. 433), H7814 [8SE]

Petroleum: assess penalties on gasoline retailers who charge prices grossly in excess of the prescribed index price for gasoline (see H.R. 2944), H4655 [16JN]

———create a uniform national clean air standard for gasoline, eliminate ``boutique'' fuels, and require the construction and sale of new gasoline refineries to private businesses (see H.R. 3807), H8088 [15SE]

———prohibit certain discriminatory pricing policies in wholesale motor fuel sales (see H.R. 3780), H7949 [14SE]

———prohibit certain transfers or assignments of service station franchises and certain fixing or maintaining of motor fuel prices (see H.R. 3926), H8387 [27SE]

———prohibit price gouging of gasoline and diesel fuel in areas declared major disasters (see H.R. 3782), H7949 [14SE]

———prohibit price gouging on oil and gas products and other essential commodities during certain emergency situations (see S. 1717), S10187 [19SE]

———provide Presidential authority to temporarily freeze the price of gasoline and other refined products (see S. 1629), S9727 [7SE] (see H.R. 3707), H7813 [8SE]

———reduce price of gasoline through offshore drilling, increased construction and investment in refineries, Federal fuel tax suspension, and free trade promotion (see H.R. 4004), H8733 [6OC]

———require Presidential allocation of crude oil, fuel oil, and refined petroleum products to deal with shortages and dislocations in the national distribution system (see H.R. 3722), H7813 [8SE]

Pharmaceuticals: impact of illegal importation of prescription drugs on regulatory protections afforded consumers (see H. Con. Res. 75), H796 [17FE]

———importation of prescription drugs (see S. 334), S1198 [9FE] (see H.R. 328), H194 [25JA] (see H.R. 700), H521 [9FE]

———provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (see H.R. 578), H351 [2FE]

———standardize certification of Internet pharmacies and prohibit certain advertising by, and use of certain bank instruments for purchases from, illegal Internet pharmacies (see H.R. 1808), H2471 [21AP]

Poverty: study effects on disadvantaged individuals of actions by utilities intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (see S. 1205), S6225 [8JN]

Power resources: ensure fairness in gasoline, diesel fuel, and home heating oil prices (see H.R. 4029), H8807 [7OC]

———prohibit price gouging relating to gasoline and diesel fuels in areas affected by major disasters (see S. 1744), S10294 [21SE]

———prohibit the sale of crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, or petroleum distillates at an unjust or unreasonable price (see H.R. 4114), H9043 [20OC]

———protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels during energy emergencies (see H.R. 3936), H8513 [28SE]

———protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels during energy emergencies (H.R. 3936), consideration (see H. Res. 568), H10909 [17NO]

———streamline the refinery permitting process, designate certain closed military installations for refinery construction, and amend certain EPA programs that impact fuel prices (see S. 1772), S10424 [26SE]

Privacy: prevent and mitigate identity theft, ensure privacy, and enhance penalties, law enforcement, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information (see S. 1332), S7614 [29JN] (see S. 1789), S10723 [29SE]

———protect and enhance consumer privacy (see H.R. 1263), H1371 [10MR] (see H.R. 3140), H5599 [30JN]

———protect consumers by requiring reasonable security policies and procedures to protect computerized data containing personal information and require data breach notification (see H.R. 4127), H9102 [25OC]

———regulate the transmission of personally identifiable information to foreign affiliates and subcontractors (see S. 810), S3653 [14AP]

———require consent of an individual prior to the sale and marketing of personally identifiable information (see S. 116), S145 [24JA]

———strengthen data protection and safeguards, require data breach notification, and further prevent identity theft (see S. 1408), S8302 [14JY] (see H.R. 3374), H6326 [21JY]

Public utilities: improve operation of electric transmission system, enhance reliability of electric grid, increase consumer benefits from competition and restore investor confidence in the electric industry (see S. 596), S2482 [10MR]

———improve operation of electric transmission system and enhance reliability of electric grid (see S. 426), S1622 [17FE]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system (see S. 1031), S5071 [12MY] (see H.R. 878), H791 [17FE]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system and reduce the threat of wildfires to electric transmission and distribution facilities of Federal lands (see H.R. 3919), H8387 [27SE]

———provide for expansion of electricity transmission networks to encourage competition, ensure reliability, and modernize regulation in the electric power industry (see S. 498), S1931 [2MR] (see H.R. 1481), H1777 [5AP]

———require electric utilities to provide net metering service (see S. 1596), S9468 [29JY]

Railroads: enhance competition in order to improve service and rates (see S. 919), S4397 [27AP]

Safe Drinking Water Act: assist small communities with achieving or maintaining compliance with drinking water standards (see S. 689), S3147 [4AP] (see H.R. 2417), H3435 [17MY]

Senior citizens: ensure adequate public-private infrastructure and resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (see S. 2010), S12839 [15NO]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 3601), H7560 [28JY]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security benefits (see S. 275), S978 [3FE]

———establish regional consumer price indices to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 736), H523 [9FE]

———provide greater health care freedom (see H.R. 580), H351 [2FE]

Small business: analyze economic impact of governmental agency decisions that result in a net loss of jobs (see S. 1519), S9158 [27JY]

———analyze potential impacts of rules proposed by certain agencies (see S. 1388), S8217 [13JY] (see H.R. 682), H520 [9FE]

Taxation: assist low-income taxpayers in preparing and filing tax returns and increase protections against certain refund anticipation loan providers (see H.R. 894), H792 [17FE]

———deny deductions for direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs (see H.R. 575), H351 [2FE]

———establish gas stamps and impose windfall profit tax on crude oil, natural gas, and related products (see H.R. 3712), H7813 [8SE]

———exclude certain truck tractors from Federal excise tax imposed on heavy trucks and trailers sold at retail (see H.R. 1049), H940 [2MR]

———impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil, allow a credit for qualified fuel-efficient vehicles, and establish the Energy Assistance Trust Fund (see H.R. 4449), H11109 [6DE]

———impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil, establish the Consumer Energy Assistance Trust Fund, and provide for a rebate to energy consumers (see H.R. 4263), H10144 [9NO]

———impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil and appropriate the proceeds for LIHEAP (see H.R. 4248), H10038 [8NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and ease gas prices for consumers (see H.R. 3752), H7860 [13SE]

———impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and rebate the tax collected back to consumers (see S. 1631), S9727 [7SE] (see S. 2103), S13570 [14DE] (see H.R. 4203), H9555 [2NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and use proceeds to provide a consumer rebate, fund LIHEAP, provide incentives for manufacture of energy efficient vehicles, and support funding of highway projects (see S. 1981), S12607 [9NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas and appropriate the proceeds for LIHEAP (see H.R. 3664), H7741 [7SE]

———impose windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas and appropriate the proceeds for LIHEAP and Dept. of Veterans Affairs medical services (see H.R. 4276), H10144 [9NO]

———make permanent the moratorium on the taxation of Internet and interactive computer service commerce (see S. 849), S3897 [19AP] (see H.R. 1684, 1685), H2148 [19AP]

———provide a 100 percent deduction for expenses related to identity theft (see H.R. 3804), H8087 [15SE]

———provide a rebate to help taxpayers with higher fuel costs, support full funding of LIHEAP, and provide consumer protections against fuel price gouging (see S. 1973), S12526 [8NO]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualified health pooling arrangements (see H.R. 2073), H2976 [4MY]

———provide tax incentives to encourage manufacturers of computer, cell phone, and television equipment to operate environmentally sound recycling programs for consumers discarding equipment (see H.R. 320), H194 [25JA]

———provide taxpayer protection and assistance relative to tax preparation (see S. 832), S3817 [18AP]

———reduce Federal excise tax on highway motor fuels when the weekly U.S. retail gasoline price, regular grade, is over a certain dollar amount per gallon (see H.R. 3842), H8247 [21SE]

———reduce motor fuel excise taxes during periods of high fuel prices (see H.R. 2924), H4560 [15JN]

———repeal certain oil and gas subsidies and appropriate the proceeds for LIHEAP and weatherization assistance (see H.R. 4420), H11034 [18NO]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see S. 1321), S7520 [28JN] (see H.R. 1898), H2646 [27AP]

———temporarily suspend Federal excise taxes on highway motor fuels (see H.R. 3683), H7741 [7SE]

Telecommunications: promote deployment of competitive video services, eliminate redundant and unnecessary regulation, and further the development of next generation broadband networks (see S. 1349), S7820 [30JN]

———promote deployment of competitive video services and eliminate redundant and unnecessary regulation (see H.R. 3146), H5600 [30JN]

———promote the widespread availability of communications services and the integrity of communication facilities, and encourage investment in communication networks (see S. 2113), S13659 [15DE]

———protect privacy rights of subscribers to wireless communication services (see S. 1350), S7820 [30JN] (see H.R. 1139), H988 [7MR]

———require customer consent to the provision of wireless call location information (see H.R. 83), H74 [4JA]

———require rate integration for wireless interstate toll charges (see H.R. 4584), H12048 [16DE]

———safeguard the rights and expectations of consumers who lawfully obtain digital entertainment (see H.R. 4536), H11653 [14DE]

Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act: apply to charities only if the solicitation of such charities involves fraud or deception (see H.R. 4425), H11034 [18NO]

Television: ensure full access to digital television in areas served by low-power television (see S. 1600), S9468 [29JY]

———require manufacturers and retailers to provide disclosure to consumers that analog televisions will no longer receive broadcast transmissions after the public broadcast spectrum changes to digital (see H.R. 3032), H4984 [22JN]

Tobacco products: prohibit use of vending machines other than in locations in which the presence of minors is prohibited (see H.R. 3593), H7560 [28JY]

———require cigarette products to be placed under or behind the counter in retail sales (see H.R. 2749), H4186 [7JN]

Trademarks: clarify that service marks, collective marks, and certification marks are entitled to the same protections, rights, and privileges as trademarks (see H.R. 784), H584 [10FE]

Treaties and agreements: avoid inclusion in future free trade agreements provisions that would restrict access of U.S. consumers to imported prescription drugs (see S. 1551), S9285 [28JY] (see H.R. 3583), H7559 [28JY]

Truth in Lending Act: extend certain protections to overdraft protection programs, require consent to initiate, and enhance information on overdraft protection, and prohibit manipulation to generate overdraft protection fees (see H.R. 3449), H6932 [27JY]

———require stores offering credit or charge accounts to prominently display certain information (see H.R. 833), H629 [15FE]

Water: allow small public water systems to request exemption from national primary drinking water requirements for a naturally occurring contaminant (see H.R. 1315), H1508 [15MR]

Cloture motions

Bankruptcy: amend laws (S. 256), S2053 [4MR], S2216 [8MR]

Factsheets

Will Lower Drug Prices Jeopardize Drug Research? Donald Light and Joel Lexchin, American Journal of Bioethics, H5523-H5525 [30JN]

Letters

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors, H2051 [14AP]

———Deborah Cutler-Ortiz, Children's Defense Fund (organization), S2227 [8MR], S2408 [10MR]

———Lisalyn R. Jacobs, Legal Momentum (organization), H1983 [14AP]

———Margot Bean, National Child Support Enforcement Association, H1982 [14AP]

———Nancy Duff Campbell, Marcia Greenberger, and Joan Entmacher, National Women's Law Center, S1839 [1MR], S2226 [8MR], H1982 [14AP]

———Physicians for a National Health Program (organization), S1840 [1MR]

———several bankruptcy and commercial law professors, H1984-H1986 [14AP]

———several financial institutions and associations, S1840 [1MR]

———Wade Henderson and Nancy Dirkin, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, H1983 [14AP]

———Willard P. Ogburn and John Rao, National Consumer Law Center, Inc., S1839 [1MR]

Bankruptcy attorneys' liability and administrative burdens: Thomas R. Schuck, Federal Bar Association, S2316 [9MR]

Bankruptcy protection for victims of domestic violence by granting relief from summary eviction from rental housing: Jill Morris, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, S2230 [8MR]

———several domestic violence organizations, S2229 [8MR]

Class Action Fairness Act: Leonidas R. Mecham, Judicial Conference of the U.S., S1233 [10FE]

———Michael Balboni, National Conference of State Legislatures, S1002 [7FE], H651 [16FE]

———several civil rights and labor organizations, H738 [17FE]

———several environmental organizations, H651 [16FE], H739 [17FE]

———several Senators, S1077 [8FE]

———several State Attorneys General, S1002 [7FE], H644 [16FE]

Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act: several consumer organizations, S1518 [16FE]

Enhance aviation competition in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area: Dee Kelly, E1397 [30JN]

Establish time limits for action by Federal district courts on motions to remand class action cases that have been removed to Federal court: Leonidas R. Mecham, Judicial Conference of the U.S., S1186 [9FE]

Exempt class actions involving civil rights or certain labor laws from amendments to court procedures to move certain class action cases from State to Federal courts: John C. Davis, S1089 [8FE]

———Mary F. Singleton, S1088 [8FE]

———several Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., employees, S1088 [8FE]

———several State Attorneys General, S1089 [8FE]

———several civil rights and labor organizations, H649 [16FE]

Exempt from bankruptcy means testing certain National Guard and Reserve members: Joseph A. Violante, DAV, H2075 [14AP]

Federal court management of interstate class actions asserting claims governed by differing State laws: Arthur R. Miller, S1169-S1171 [9FE]

———Walter E. Dellinger, S1172-S1174 [9FE]

Federal homestead floor exemption from bankruptcy filings by senior citizens: David Certner, AARP, S1830 [1MR]

Improve ability of FTC to protect consumers from price-gouging during energy emergencies: Eliot Spitzer, New York Attorney General, S13087 [17NO]

———several State attorneys general, S13088 [17NO]

Low-Cost Alternatives to Payday Loans Act: Jean Ann Fox, Consumer Federation of American, Edmund Mierzwinski, U.S. Public Interest Research Group, and Mark Pearce, Center for Responsible Lending, S7830 [30JN]

Medical debt of individuals who file for bankruptcy protection: several medical and law professors, S6010 [26MY]

———William E. Moschella, Dept. of Justice, S2078 [4MR]

Negotiation of fair prices for Medicare prescription drugs: David P. Sloane, AARP, S12283 [2NO]

Predatory Payday Loan Prohibition Act: several consumer organizations, S11439 [17OC]

Prevent unsecured creditors from attempting to collect accruing interest and additional fees from consumers entering into credit counseling consolidated payment plans: several consumer organizations, S2313 [9MR]

Prohibit price gouging on oil and gas products and other essential commodities during certain emergency situations: Senator Dayton, S11552 [19OC]

Protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of earnings and retirement savings when businesses file for bankruptcy: Kenneth Schmidt, H11755 [15DE]

———William Samuel, AFL-CIO, S1989 [3MR]

———several consumer organizations, S1989 [3MR]

Reform rules governing venue in bankruptcy cases to combat forum shopping by corporate debtors: Berry D. Spears, S1128 [8FE]

———Commercial Law League of America, S1127 [8FE]

———Corinne Cooper, S1128 [8FE]

———Elizabeth Warren, S1127 [8FE]

———Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General, S1126 [8FE]

———Jay L. Westbrook and Benno C. Schmidt, S1128 [8FE]

———L.E. Creel III, S1128 [8FE]

———Lynn M. LoPucki, S1128 [8FE]

———Robin Schausell, National Association of Credit Management, S1129 [8FE]

———Russell L. Munsch, S1129 [8FE]

———Scott Harshbarger, S1127 [8FE]

———Travis B. Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, S1909 [2MR]

———William Greendyke, S1129 [8FE]

———several State attorneys general, S1903 [2MR]

Restrict access to certain personal information in bankruptcy documents: Leonidas R. Mecham, Judicial Conference of the U.S., S1851 [1MR]

State attorneys general class action lawsuits exemption from amended procedures that apply to interstate class actions: National Association of Attorneys General, S1158 [9FE], H740, H747 [17FE]

Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act: Allen Brill, Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc., S12717 [10NO]

———Charles J. Duke, Zippo Manufacturing Co., S12717 [10NO]

———Danette Wineberg, Timberland Co., S12718 [10NO]

———Donna Van Green, Vision Council of America, S12717 [10NO]

———Doreen Small, Warnaco, Inc., S12717 [10NO]

———Patrick T. Brewer, Lexmark International, Inc., S12717 [10NO]

———several organizations, E19 [4JA]

Lists

Amendments made in order to bankruptcy bills—105th-109th Congress, H1979 [14AP]

Amendments to S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, submitted to the Committee on Rules (House) and denied consideration by the rule, H1976 [14AP]

Changes made to Class Action Fairness Act (2003), S1078 [8FE]

Editorials supporting S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, S1187 [9FE]

Government organizations opposed to S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, S1248 [10FE]

Organizations opposed to S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, S1248 [10FE]

Organizations supporting Dodd amendment to S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, to protect assets necessary for the financial support of children, S2310 [9MR]

Memorandums

Digital Television Transition Date: Several First Responders Organizations, S12198 [2NO]

Motions

Bankruptcy: amend laws (S. 256), H2074 [14AP]

Courts: amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), H752 [17FE]

Newsletters

Industry Note—Tobacco—Senate Just Passed Class Action Bill—Positive for Tobacco: Bonnie Herzog, Smith Barney, H733 [17FE]

Press releases

Harvard Study Shows Legislation a Danger to Millions Bankrupted by Medical Bills: Physicians for a National Health Program (organization), S1840 [1MR]

Remarks in House

Agriculture: price supports for sugar, H4207, H4252-H4257 [8JN]

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) (organization): commend U.S. participation in Forum, H9560 [3NO]

———support Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative, E2268 [3NO]

Aviation: enhance competition in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, area, H3407 [17MY], H4901 [22JN]

Bankruptcy: amend laws (S. 256), H1606 [16MR], H1856 [12AP], H1946 [13AP], H1993, H2062-H2077, H2084, H2086 [14AP], H2631 [27AP], E623 [12AP], E677 [18AP], E699, E704 [19AP], E737 [22AP], E754 [25AP], E838 [2MY]

———amend laws (S. 256), consideration (H. Res. 211), H1974 [14AP]

———establish a Federal homestead exemption for debtors whose financial situations were caused by serious medical problems, H2059 [14AP]

———exempt from means testing certain National Guard and Reserve members, H2074, H2075 [14AP]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose financial situations were caused by identity theft, H1978, H1990 [14AP]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose financial situations were caused by serious medical problems, H2055, H2059 [14AP]

———exempt from means testing income from any job in which the debtor is no longer employed and income from any employment in which he can no longer engage due to medical disability, H1979, H1980 [14AP]

———exempt means testing, disallow claims on certain high-cost loans, and establish Federal homestead and personal property exemptions for servicemen, veterans, and spouses of those who die in military service, H2059, H2060 [14AP]

———increase payments of wages and benefits to employees and require payment to retirees for lost health benefits by companies filing for bankruptcy, H2065 [14AP]

———limit exemption for asset protection trusts (H.R. 1278), H1407 [14MR]

———prevent creditors from employing involuntary bankruptcy actions relative to certain liability claims, E677 [18AP]

———protect assets necessary for the financial support of children, H1981, H1982 [14AP]

———protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of earnings and retirement savings when businesses file for bankruptcy, H4160, H4162 [7JN], H4277-H4285 [8JN], H4564 [16JN], H6207 [21JY], H8134 [20SE], H9350 [27OC]

———protect victims of domestic violence by granting relief from summary eviction from their homes, H2060 [14AP]

———reform homestead exemptions protecting homes from bankruptcy filings, H2059 [14AP]

———waive credit counseling fees of servicemembers returning from a combat area, H2060 [14AP]

Business and industry: prohibit price gouging during certain disasters and emergencies (H.R. 3681), E1779 [7SE]

China, People's Republic of: prevent trafficking of counterfeit goods, H11336 [13DE]

Computers: discourage spyware (H.R. 744), H3703-H3705 [23MY], E219 [10FE], E1061 [23MY]

———protect Internet users from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs (H.R. 29), H3705-H3712 [23MY], E1061 [23MY], E1147 [7JN]

Council of Economic Advisers: prohibit funding to produce a President's economic report regarding a certain average cost of developing and introducing a new prescription drug to the market, H5522-H5526 [30JN]

Courts: amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (H.R. 516), E136 [2FE], E388 [8MR]

———amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), H589 [15FE], H634, H685-H691 [16FE], H722, H723-H755 [17FE], H2541-H2545 [26AP]

———amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), consideration (H. Res. 96), H643-H652 [16FE]

———amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), motion to commit, H753 [17FE]

———exempt class actions involving civil rights or certain labor laws from amendments to court procedures to move certain class action cases from State to Federal courts, H649 [16FE]

———preserve State jurisdiction over lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers of food or non-alcoholic beverage products, H8929, H8934, H8935 [19OC]

———prevent frivolous lawsuits and reform class action lawsuit procedures, H184 [25JA], H2544, H2545 [26AP]

———treatment of class action lawsuits involving the arthritis drug Vioxx, H753 [17FE], H6110 [20JY]

CPSC: issue a rule to prevent injuries to users of vending machines (H.R. 2898), H4556 [15JN]

———issue safety standards for lead-containing dishware (H.R. 4154), E2184 [27OC]

———issue standards addressing open flame ignition of consumer products containing polyurethane (H.R. 943), E298 [18FE]

———promulgate a product safety standard that requires certain manufacturers to establish and maintain a system for providing notification of recalls to consumers (H.R. 1013), E316 [1MR]

———restore jurisdiction over fixed site amusement park rides (H.R. 2500), E1042 [20MY]

Credit: 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 (H.R. 1182), H2110 [19AP]

———improve ratings quality through competition, transparency, and accountability in the credit rating agency industry (H.R. 2990), H5255 [28JN]

———prevent identity theft and improve resolution of credit disputes, accuracy of consumer records, and the use of, and consumer access to, credit information, H4726 [20JN]

———require underage consumers to demonstrate ability to pay, complete a certified counseling credit course, or submit a cosigned application prior to extension of credit, H2060 [14AP]

Credit cards: prevent issuers from taking advantage of traditional college students and protect parents of such students (H.R. 1208), E397 [9MR]

———prohibit issuers from increasing a consumers interest rate based on credit information unrelated to transactions with the consumer, H5277-H5279 [28JN], H5487, H5488 [30JN]

———prohibit issuers from increasing interest rates of consumers which incur medical expenses and have difficulty repaying in a timely manner, H1975 [14AP]

Crime: combat, deter, and punish individuals and enterprises engaged in organized retail theft, H8430 [28SE]

———prevent identity fraud, H4472 [14JN]

———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (H.R. 32), H3699-H3703 [23MY], E19 [4JA], E1072 [24MY]

Danny Foundation: tribute, E1957 [27SE]

Dept. of Agriculture: organic food standards, H9392, H9393 [28OC]

Dept. of Defense: prohibit defense contractors from requiring licenses or fees for use of miltary likenesses and designations for model airplanes and model ships, H4025 [25MY]

Dept. of Energy: report on potential fuel savings from information technology systems designed to help businesses and consumers plan travel and avoid delays, H2416 [21AP]

———require Power Marketing Administrations to list Endangered Species Act related costs as a line item in customer's monthly billing, E2028 [6OC]

Dept. of HUD: prohibit funding for mortgage insurance for mortgages or loans made by a lender engaging in predatory lending, H5526, H5527 [30JN]

Disasters: moratorium on payment of principal or interest on certain mortgage loans secured by residential or commercial real estate located in Hurricanes Katrina or Rita disaster areas (H.R. 4027), E2070 [7OC]

———prohibit profiteering and fraud relative to relief or reconstruction efforts provided in response to a Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency (H.R. 4148), E2181 [27OC]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, H606 [15FE], H1328 [10MR], H1754 [5AP], H3406 [17MY], H4159 [7JN], H4373 [13JN], H4784 [20JN], H4861 [21JN], H5219 [27JN], E1159, E1162 [8JN]

———promote fairer prescription drug pricing through Internet sites supported by public-private partnerships, H11658 [15DE]

EPA: revise fuel economy test procedures and provide consumers with more accurate information about fuel economy, H2343-H2347 [20AP]

Expedited Funds Availability Act: redress imbalances between faster withdrawals permitted under the Check 21 Act and slower rates for crediting deposits, H2932 [4MY]

———redress imbalances between faster withdrawals permitted under the Check 21 Act and slower rates for crediting deposits (H.R. 799), E232 [15FE]

FDA: promote competition and drug safety through increased research, E903 [5MY]

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure: allow claims against profiteering and fraud relative to relief or reconstruction efforts provided in response to a Presidentially-declared major disaster or emergency, H9325, H9327, H9328 [27OC]

Financial institutions: establish lifeline banking for low-income individuals, H12278 [18DE]

———notify customers of unauthorized use of personal information (H.R. 3501), E1743 [29JY]

Foreign trade: require country-of-origin labeling for macadamia nuts (H.R. 3535), E1696 [29JY]

FTC: conduct an inquiry into the retail price of gasoline, H9492-H9494 [2NO]

———investigate and assess penalties for price gouging with respect to oil and gas products, H8222 [21SE], H8379 [27SE], H8762, H8765, H8769-H8775, H8784, H8790 [7OC]

———protect privacy of electric consumers, H2427 [21AP]

Hazardous substances: reduce exposure of children, workers, and consumers to toxic chemical substances (H.R. 4308), E2337 [10NO]

Health: protect enrollees in managed care plans and other health coverage (H.R. 2259), E937 [11MY]

———require the FDA to disclose benefits of foods and dietary supplements and ensure the FTC bears the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements (H.R. 4282), E2313 [9NO]

Health care facilities: provide grants to set up medical malpractice mediation programs and train mediators, H6867, H6869 [27JY]

Information services: conduct feasibility study to expand high-speed Internet access to rural areas, H1051 [9MR]

Iron and steel industry: urge the Dept. of Commerce and ITC to consider the impact of steel antidumping or countervailing duties on steel-consuming manufacturers and the economy when conducting sunset reviews (H. Res. 84), H526 [10FE], E215 [10FE], E1695 [29JY], E2261 [3NO]

IRS: prevent from setting up tax preparation services within the agency, H10940, H10941 [18NO]

Legal Services of Northern Virgina (nonprofit organization): anniversary, E2312 [9NO]

Medicare: permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries, H11275 [8DE], H11331 [12DE], H12055 [17DE], E2445 [6DE]

———permit the Dept. of HHS to enter into direct negotiations to promote the best prices for beneficiaries (H.R. 376), H3758 [23MY], H9934 [7NO]

Mental health: extend provisions requiring parity in the application of certain limits to mental health benefits (H.R. 4579), H12125-H12128 [17DE]

Motor vehicles: allow State regulation of tow truck operations, H1193, H1194 [9MR]

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.: protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of earnings and retirement savings when businesses file for bankruptcy, H10013-H10017 [8NO], H11759 [15DE]

Petroleum: assess penalties on gasoline retailers who charge prices grossly in excess of the prescribed index price for gasoline (H.R. 2944), E1262 [17JN]

———conduct an inquiry into the retail price of ethanol, H8128 [20SE]

———prohibit price gouging on oil and gas products and other essential commodities during certain emergency situations, H8478, H8479 [28SE], H8628 [29SE]

———reduce price of gasoline through offshore drilling, increased construction and investment in refineries, Federal fuel tax suspension, and free trade promotion (H.R. 4004), E2031 [6OC]

Pharmaceuticals: development of electronic prescribing systems to improve patient safety and quality of care for patients, H722 [17FE]

———importation of prescription drugs, H418 [9FE], H4220 [8JN], H4861 [21JN], H6654 [27JY]

———importation of prescription drugs (H.R. 328), H1945, H1947 [13AP], H3289 [16MY], H4373 [13JN], H9934 [7NO]

———provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (H.R. 578), E144 [2FE]

Power resources: increase penalties for violations of the Federal Power Act and authorize FERC to refund electricity overcharges, H2332-H2334 [20AP]

———prohibit the sale of crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, natural gas, or petroleum distillates at an unjust or unreasonable price (H.R. 4114), E2147 [20OC]

———protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels during energy emergencies (H.R. 3936), H9611 [3NO]

Product safety: increase awareness of furniture tipovers and the dangers posed to children, H1853 [12AP]

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users: enforcement of consumer protection provisions, H10939 [18NO]

Senior citizens: establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits, H8907 [18OC]

———provide greater health care freedom (H.R. 580), E133 [2FE]

Small business: expand health care access and choice of coverage through association health plans, H2583, H2584 [27AP], H6384, H6408 [25JY], E1637, E1640 [27JY]

States: require public hearings when an insurer proposes increases in medical malpractice liability insurance, H6869 [27JY]

Taxation: assist low-income taxpayers in preparing and filing tax returns and increase protections against certain refund anticipation loan providers (H.R. 894), E279 [18FE]

———impose a temporary windfall profit tax on crude oil, establish the Consumer Energy Assistance Trust Fund, and provide for a rebate to energy consumers (H.R. 4263), E2309 [9NO]

———provide subsidies to encourage small employers to offer affordable health coverage to their employees through qualified health pooling arrangements (H.R. 2073), H3757 [23MY]

———provide tax incentives to encourage manufacturers of computer, cell phone, and television equipment to operate environmentally sound recycling programs for consumers discarding equipment (H.R. 320), E61 [25JA]

———reduce motor fuel excise taxes during periods of high fuel prices (H.R. 2924), E1240 [15JN]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (H.R. 1898), H4989 [23JN], E804 [27AP]

Telecommunications: promote deployment of competitive video services and eliminate redundant and unnecessary regulation (H.R. 3146), H6940 [28JY]

———require rate integration for wireless interstate toll charges (H.R. 4584), E2590 [17DE]

Television: move forward the date on which the transition to digital television is to occur, H10628-H10630 [17NO]

Truth in Lending Act: extend certain protections to overdraft protection programs, require consent to initiate, and enhance information on overdraft protection, and prohibit manipulation to generate overdraft protection fees (H.R. 3449), E2156 [24OC]

Water: allow small public water systems to request exemption from national primary drinking water requirements for a naturally occurring contaminant (H.R. 1315), E452 [16MR]

Remarks in Senate

Armed Forces: enhance protection of members and their spouses from unscrupulous financial services sales practices through increased consumer education, S12805 [15NO]

———enhance protection of members and their spouses from unscrupulous financial services sales practices through increased consumer education (S. 1028), S5158-S5160 [12MY]

Bankruptcy: amend laws (S. 256), S1725-S1783, S1785-S1788 [28FE], S1813-S1815, S1818-S1831, S1834-S1857 [1MR], S1892-S1915, S1918-S1927 [2MR], S1979-S1997 [3MR], S2053-S2056, S2069-S2078 [4MR], S2111, S2113-S2143 [7MR], S2199-S2230 [8MR], S2306-S2342 [9MR], S2406-S2408, S2415-S2417, S2420-S2422, S2424-S2428, S2459-S2474 [10MR], S2515-S2517 [11MR], S6010 [26MY]

———amend laws (S. 256), unanimous-consent agreement, S1889 [2MR], S2098 [4MR], S2229 [8MR]

———clarify treatment of debtors with serious medical conditons, servicemen called to active duty, and low income veterans, S1845-S1850, S1852-S1854 [1MR], S1907, S1913-S1915 [2MR]

———disallow claims against certain underage individuals, S2309, S2310, S2312 [9MR]

———discourage predatory mortgage lending practices, S1920-S1922 [2MR]

———establish a Federal homestead exemption for debtors whose financial situations were caused by serious medical problems, S1895-S1900, S1906, S1907, S1924 [2MR], S2324 [9MR]

———establish a Federal homestead floor exemption for senior citizens, S1829-S1831 [1MR], S1892-S1894 [2MR]

———exempt from means testing debtors who are disabled veterans whose indebtedness occurred primarily during a period of military service, S2427 [10MR]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose financial situations were caused by failure to receive alimony or child support, S2322 [9MR], S2416 [10MR]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose financial situations were caused by identity theft, S1918-S1920 [2MR], S1982 [3MR]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose financial situations were caused by serious medical problems, S1895-S1900, S1907, S1913, S1923 [2MR], S2203 [8MR], S2324 [9MR]

———exempt from means testing debtors whose income falls below the median income level, S2217-S2221 [8MR], S2307, S2311 [9MR]

———exempt from means testing economically distressed caregivers to ill or disabled family members, S1923, S1924, S1925 [2MR]

———exempt from means testing income from any job in which the debtor is no longer employed and income from any employment in which he can no longer engage due to medical disability, S2323 [9MR], S2416 [10MR]

———exempt means testing, disallow claims on certain high-cost loans, and establish Federal homestead and personal property exemptions for servicemen, veterans, and spouses of those who die in military service, S1823-S1828, S1841, S1844-S1850, S1852-S1854 [1MR], S1907, S1926 [2MR], S2203 [8MR]

———impact of laws on women and children, S2463-S2465 [10MR]

———impact of legislative changes on senior citizens, S1905 [2MR]

———impose nondischargeable sanctions on debtors who falsify schedules, enforce rules sanctioning attorney misconduct, and maintain existing laws regarding reaffirmation agreements, S2319 [9MR]

———increase certain filing fees, S1985 [3MR]

———increase payments of wages and benefits to employees and require payment to retirees for lost health benefits by companies filing for bankruptcy, S1905, S1926 [2MR], S1994, S1995 [3MR]

———limit claims in bankruptcy by certain unsecured creditors (S. 1879), S11437, S11439 [17OC]

———limit exemption for asset protection trusts, S1980, S1981, S1991-S1994 [3MR], S2138, S2139 [7MR], S2427 [10MR]

———preserve existing protections for economically distressed caregivers to ill or disabled family members, S1908 [2MR]

———prevent unsecured creditors from attempting to collect accruing interest and additional fees from consumers entering into credit counseling consolidated payment plans, S2313 [9MR], S2417 [10MR]

———protect assets necessary for the financial support of children, S2223-S2227 [8MR], S2310, S2311, S2325 [9MR]

———protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of earnings and retirement savings when businesses file for bankruptcy, S1986-S1991, S1995 [3MR], S5049-S5052 [12MY], S5205 [16MY], S9110, S9115 [27JY]

———protect victims of domestic violence by granting relief from summary eviction from rental housing, S2229 [8MR]

———reform homestead exemptions protecting homes from bankruptcy filings, S1821, S1822, S1831 [1MR], S2321, S2325, S2341 [9MR]

———reform rules governing venue in bankruptcy cases to combat forum shopping by corporate debtors, S1902 [2MR]

———reform rules governing venue in bankruptcy cases to combat forum shopping by corporate debtors (S. 314), S1125 [8FE]

———reform small business regulations, S2221-S2223, S2228 [8MR]

———restrict access to certain personal information in bankruptcy documents, S1850-S1852 [1MR], S2139-S2141 [7MR]

Children and youth: limit exposure of children to violent video games (S. 2126), S13789-S13791 [16DE]

Computers: criminalize Internet scams involving fraudulently obtaining personal information, commonly known as phishing (S. 472), S1804 [28FE]

———regulate unauthorized installation of computer software and require disclosure to users of certain software features that pose a threat to user privacy (S. 687), S3106 [20MR]

Courts: amend procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants (S. 5), S450 [25JA], S833 [2FE], S996-S1009 [7FE], S1076-S1105, S1108-S1110 [8FE], S1150-S1152, S1157-S1189 [9FE], S1225-S1252, S1255 [10FE], S1332, S1333 [14FE]

———establish time limits for action by Federal district courts on motions to remand class action cases that have been removed to Federal court, S1184-S1186, S1188 [9FE], S1227, S1231, S1243, S1244 [10FE]

———exempt class action lawsuits brought by State attorneys general from amended procedures that apply to interstate class actions, S1157-S1165 [9FE]

———exempt class actions involving civil rights or certain labor laws from amendments to court procedures to move certain class action cases from State to Federal courts, S1086-S1091 [8FE], S1165, S1180-S1183 [9FE]

———Federal court management of interstate class actions asserting claims governed by differing State laws, S1166-S1180, S1183, S1184 [9FE], S1242, S1246 [10FE]

———preserve State court procedures for handling mass actions, S1099 [8FE]

CPSC: classify certain children's products containing lead as banned hazardous substances (S. 2048), S13175 [17NO]

———issue regulations concerning the safety and labeling of portable generators (S. 2084), S13503 [13DE]

Credit: ban abusive credit practices, enhance consumer disclosures and protect underage consumers (S. 499), S1950 [2MR]

———limit amount of interest that can be charged on any credit extension, S1910 [2MR], S1979, S1981, S1982 [3MR], S2210 [8MR]

———prohibit predatory payday loans (S. 1878), S11437, S11438 [17OC]

———provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan (S. 1040), S5225 [16MY]

———require enhanced disclosure regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt, S1834 [1MR], S1894, S1912, S1913, S1915 [2MR], S2210, S2230 [8MR]

———require enhanced disclosure regarding the consequences of making only minimum required payments in the repayment of credit card debt (S. 393), S1518, S1519 [16FE]

———require notice of rate increases and prohibit retroactive increases, S2074 [4MR]

———require underage consumers to demonstrate ability to pay, complete a certified counseling credit course, or submit a cosigned application prior to extension of credit, S2073, S2075 [4MR]

Credit cards: prohibit issuers from increasing a consumers interest rate based on credit information unrelated to transactions with the consumer, S1984 [3MR]

———reform regulations, S2515 [11MR]

Crime: prevent identity fraud (S. 768), S3510 [13AP]

———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (H.R. 32), S12718 [10NO]

———provide penalties for trafficking in counterfeit marks (S. 1699), S10044 [14SE], S12714-S12718 [10NO]

Dept. of Agriculture: strengthen ability to regulate pet industry (S. 1139), S6031 [26MY], S9148 [27JY]

Dept. of Transportation: issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside motor vehicles (S. 1948), S12129 [1NO]

Disasters: deferral of mortgage payments for individuals whose homes are destroyed by catastrophic events, S11638, S11639 [20OC]

Drugs: discrepancy in prescription drug prices between U.S. and foreign countries, S8397-S8399 [18JY]

———provide discounts to Medicaid and other Federal programs for the advertising costs of certain prescription drugs and ensure that these drugs are prescribed based on health needs rather than marketing (S. 1128), S6056, S6057 [26MY]

Electronics: reduce and eliminate electronic waste through recycling (S. 510), S2017 [3MR]

FAA: repeal perimeter rule for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and LaGuardia Airport (S. 1599), S9519 [29JY]

FCC: digital television converter box subsidy program funding, S12207-S12210 [2NO]

FDA: provide with certain authority to regulate tobacco products (S. 666), S3037-S3054 [17MR]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: establish requirements to allow sale of prescription drugs over the Internet (S. 399), S1531, S1534 [16FE]

FERC: authority to review public utility mergers, S7266 [23JN]

Financial institutions: authorize demonstration project grants to entities to provide low-cost, small loans (S. 1347), S7829 [30JN]

———extend certain protections to international remittance transfers of funds originating in the U.S. (S. 31), S221-S223 [24JA]

———notify customers of unauthorized use of personal information (S. 1216), S6318 [9JN]

———require financial services providers to maintain customer information security systems and notify customers of unauthorized use of personal information (S. 1594), S9515 [29JY]

Foreign trade: require country-of-origin labeling of all forms of ginseng (S. 854), S4026 [20AP]

FTC: conduct an inquiry into the retail price of gasoline, S9954 [13SE], S10024-S10026 [14SE], S13346 [18NO]

———conduct an inquiry into the retail price of gasoline (S. 1610), S9821 [8SE]

———conduct investigation to determine whether market manipulation is contributing to higher gasoline prices, S4918-S4920 [11MY]

———enhance enforcement against illegal spam, spyware, and cross-border fraud and deception (S. 1608), S9533 [29JY]

———establish and enforce procedures for protection of consumers from misuse of, and unauthorized access to, personal information contained in files maintained by certain businesses (S. 1461), S8681 [21JY]

———improve ability to protect consumers from price-gouging during energy emergencies, S13086-S13089, S13103 [17NO]

———improve ability to protect consumers from price-gouging during energy emergencies (S. 1735), S10238, S10239 [20SE], S10364 [22SE], S11094 [5OC]

———investigate and assess penalties for price gouging with respect to oil and gas products, S13747-S13749 [16DE]

———investigate and assess penalties for price gouging with respect to oil and gas products (S. 1743), S10300 [21SE]

———monitor and investigate gasoline prices under certain circumstances (S. 1146), S6038 [26MY]

———protect privacy of electric consumers, S9341 [29JY]

Gasoline: ensure affordability and security (S. 1868), S11324 [7OC]

Hazardous substances: reduce exposure of children, workers, and consumers to toxic chemical substances (S. 1391), S8235, S8236 [13JY]

Health: expand access and reduce costs through creation of small business health plans and modernization of the health insurance marketplace (S. 1955), S12242-S12251 [2NO]

———protect enrollees in managed care plans and other health coverage (S. 1012), S5075 [12MY]

———reduce health care costs, expand access to affordable coverage, improve health care, and strengthen the health care safety net (S. 1503), S8963 [26JY]

———require notification by manufacturers before discontinuing production of a vaccine and develop a national vaccine stockpile (S. 226), S741 [1FE]

———restore reliability to the medical justice system by fostering alternatives to medical tort litigation (S. 1337), S7635-S7639 [29JN]

Health care facilities: provide for public disclosure of charges for certain hospital services and drugs (S. 1827), S11220 [6OC]

Insurance: ensure that commercial insurers cannot engage in price fixing, bid rigging, or market allocations to the detriment of competition and consumers (S. 1525), S9290 [28JY]

———provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (S. 1015), S5103 [12MY]

IRS: prohibit funding for Debt Indicator Program, S11648 [20OC]

Kentucky: provide for competitive and reliable electricity transmission (S. 1499), S8960 [26JY]

Law enforcement: clarify the prohibition on the trafficking in goods or services (S. 1095), S5581, S5582 [20MY], S12712-S12714 [10NO]

Medicaid: eliminate increase in rebate for generic drugs, S12318, S12319 [3NO]

Medicare: permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs, S2821-S2825 [16MR], S2921, S2953 [17MR]

———permit negotiation of fair prices for, and allow the reimportation of, prescription drugs (S. 239), S745-S747 [1FE], S877 [2FE], S1152 [9FE], S1252, S1253 [10FE], S1321 [14FE], S1597 [17FE]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs, S12282-S12284 [2NO], S12324, S12325, S12346 [3NO]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 123), S315 [24JA]

———provide for negotiation of fair prices for prescription drugs (S. 445), S1658 [17FE], S13342 [18NO]

———repeal Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund (S. 124), S316 [24JA]

Motor vehicles: improve child safety (S. 561), S2263 [8MR]

———include Government safety information on new vehicle stickers (S. 560), S2263 [8MR]

Office of the U.S. Trade Representatives: prevent negotiation of trade agreements that prevent the U.S. from changing patent laws to allow the importation of pharmaceutical product, S10077, S10078 [15SE]

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.: protect employees and retirees from corporate practices that deprive them of earnings and retirement savings when businesses file for bankruptcy, S12094 [1NO]

Petroleum: prohibit price gouging on oil and gas products and other essential commodities during certain emergency situations, S9717 [7SE], S11551, S11552 [19OC]

———provide Presidential authority to temporarily freeze the price of gasoline and other refined products, S9717 [7SE]

———provide Presidential authority to temporarily freeze the price of gasoline and other refined products (S. 1629), S9736 [7SE]

Pharmaceuticals: importation of prescription drugs (S. 334), S1206 [9FE], S1253, S1256 [10FE], S10077 [15SE]

———place restrictions on, and study the impact of, direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription drugs, S7876-S7879, S7886 [1JY]

Poverty: study effects on disadvantaged individuals of actions by utilities intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (S. 1205), S6238 [8JN]

Power resources: ensure fairness in gasoline, diesel fuel, and home heating oil prices, S11461-S11468 [18OC]

———ensure that ethanol is treated like all other motor vehicle fuels and that taxpayers and local governments do not have to pay for environmental damage caused by ethanol, S6460-S6463 [14JN]

———streamline the refinery permitting process, designate certain closed military installations for refinery construction, and amend certain EPA programs that impact fuel prices (S. 1772), S10436 [26SE]

Privacy: prevent and mitigate identity theft, ensure privacy, and enhance penalties, law enforcement, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information (S. 1332), S7620-S7632, S7644 [29JN], S7871 [30JN]

———prevent and mitigate identity theft, ensure privacy, and enhance penalties, law enforcement, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information (S. 1789), S10734 [29SE]

———require consent of an individual prior to the sale and marketing of personally identifiable information (S. 116), S289-S291 [24JA]

———strengthen data protection and safeguards, require data breach notification, and further prevent identity theft (S. 1408), S8322-S8326 [14JY]

Public utilities: improve operation of electric transmission system, enhance reliability of electric grid, increase consumer benefits from competition and restore investor confidence in the electric industry (S. 596), S2490 [10MR]

———improve operation of electric transmission system and enhance reliability of electric grid, S7467 [28JN]

———improve operation of electric transmission system and enhance reliability of electric grid (S. 426), S1635 [17FE]

———improve reliability of electric transmission system (S. 1031), S5168 [12MY]

———provide for expansion of electricity transmission networks to encourage competition, ensure reliability, and modernize regulation in the electric power industry (S. 498), S4008 [20AP]

Railroads: enhance competition in order to improve service and rates (S. 919), S4407, S4408 [27AP]

Safe Drinking Water Act: assist small communities with achieving or maintaining compliance with drinking water standards (S. 689), S3149 [4AP]

Senior citizens: ensure adequate public-private infrastructure and resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (S. 2010), S12847-S12849 [15NO]

Small business: analyze potential impacts of rules proposed by certain agencies (S. 1388), S8220 [13JY]

Taxation: impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and rebate the tax collected back to consumers, S12926-S12934, S12936 [16NO], S13078, S13080, S13094, S13098-S13102, S13117, S13128 [17NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and rebate the tax collected back to consumers (S. 1631), S9717 [7SE], S9821 [8SE], S9999 [14SE], S10419 [26SE], S11094 [5OC], S12045 [28OC], S12063-S12065 [31OC], S12601 [9NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on crude oil and use proceeds to provide a consumer rebate, fund LIHEAP, provide incentives for manufacture of energy efficient vehicles, and support funding of highway projects (S. 1981), S12556 [9NO]

———impose windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas and appropriate the proceeds for LIHEAP, S12471 [8NO], S13097, S13098, S13125 [17NO], S13339 [18NO]

———income tax exclusion for certain gasoline costs of rural carpools, S6992-S6994 [22JN]

———provide a credit for energy-efficient appliances, S9272 [28JY]

———provide a rebate to help taxpayers with higher fuel costs, support full funding of LIHEAP, and provide consumer protections against fuel price gouging (S. 1973), S12528 [8NO]

———provide taxpayer protection and assistance relative to tax preparation (S. 832), S3825-S3829 [18AP]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (S. 1321), S7526 [28JN]

Telecommunications: promote deployment of competitive video services, eliminate redundant and unnecessary regulation, and further the development of next generation broadband networks (S. 1349), S7831-S7832 [30JN]

———protect privacy rights of subscribers to wireless communication services (S. 1350), S7833 [30JN]

Television: eliminate digital television converter box subsidy program funding, S12325 [3NO]

———ensure full access to digital television in areas served by low-power television, S14211 [21DE]

———ensure full access to digital television in areas served by low-power television (S. 1600), S9520 [29JY]

———move forward the date on which the transition to digital television is to occur, S12197, S12201, S12202 [2NO], S12308, S12309 [3NO]

Transportation: improve consumer protection through regulation of the household goods moving industry, S5268, S5269 [17MY], S13324 [18NO]

Warren, Elizabeth: results of study on medical bankruptcies, S1996 [3MR]

Reports

Corporate Welfare for the RAL Industry—The Debt Indicator, IRS Subsidy, and Tax Fraud: Chi Chi Wu, National Consumer Law Center, Inc., S11649 [20OC]

Reports filed

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 256), S1620 [17FE]

Class Action Fairness Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 5) (S. Rept. 109-14), S1794 [28FE]

Consideration of S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 96) (H. Rept. 109-7), H627 [15FE]

Consideration of S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 211) (H. Rept. 109-43), H1967 [13AP]

Identity Theft Protection Act: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1408) (S. Rept. 109-203), S13450 [12DE]

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 744) (H. Rept. 109-93), H3767 [23MY]

Personal Data Privacy and Security Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1789), S13160 [17NO]

Profiteering in a Non-Profit Industry—Abusive Practices in Credit Counseling: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Senate) (S. Rept. 109-55), S3555 [13AP]

Protecting American Goods and Services Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1095), S12353 [3NO]

Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass (SPY) Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 29) (H. Rept. 109-32), H1893 [12AP]

Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 32) (H. Rept. 109-68), H2878 [3MY]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1699), S12353 [3NO]

Resolutions by organizations

Violence in video games and interactive media: American Academy of Pediatrics, S13790 [16DE]

Statements

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: Arkadi Kuhlmann, ING DIRECT (financial institution), H2071 [14AP]

———Marshall Wolf, ABA, H1983 [14AP]

Studies

Illness and Injury as Contributors to Bankruptcy: David U. Himmelstein, Elizabeth Warren, Deborah Thorne, and Steffie Woolhandler, H2056-H2058 [14AP]

Summaries

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (S. 256), H2048 [14AP]

Falling Claims and Rising Premiums in the Medical Malpractice Insurance Industry: Jay Angoff, S9291 [28JY]

Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act (S. 1955), S12244 [2NO]

Tables

Estimated cost of set-top box subsidy, assuming cable and DBS downconversion, only over-the-air households are subsidized, S12209 [2NO]

Testimonies

Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act: Elizabeth Warren, H2054 [14AP]

Texts of

H. Res. 96, consideration of S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, H643 [16FE]

H.R. 29, Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass (SPY) Act, H3705-H3708 [23MY]

H.R. 32, Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, H3699 [23MY]

H.R. 744, Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act, H3703 [23MY]

H.R. 4579, extend provisions requiring parity in the application of certain limits to mental health benefits, H12125 [17DE]

S. 4, Healthy America Act, S9160-S9182 [27JY]

S. 5, Class Action Fairness Act, S1249-S1252 [10FE], H723-H726 [17FE]

S. 31, International Remittance Consumer Protection Act, S223 [24JA]

S. 116, Privacy Act, S291-S300 [24JA]

S. 123, Efficiency in Government Health Care Spending Act, S315 [24JA]

S. 124, repeal Medicare Advantage Regional Plan Stabilization Fund, S316 [24JA]

S. 226, Improved Vaccine Supply Act, S741 [1FE]

S. 256, Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act, S768-S821 [1FE], S1726-S1779 [28FE], S2531-S2584 [11MR], H1993-H2047 [14AP]

S. 393, Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act, S1519 [16FE]

S. 399, Internet Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act, S1532-S1534 [16FE]

S. 426, Electric Reliability Security Act, S1635-S1641 [17FE]

S. 445, Medicare Prescription Drug Price Reduction Act, S1659 [17FE]

S. 498, Interstate Transmission Act, S1946-S1950 [2MR]

S. 499, Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act, S1950-S1952 [2MR]

S. 510, Electronic Waste Recycling Promotion and Consumer Protection Act, S2018-S2020 [3MR]

S. 560, Stars on Cars Act, S2266 [8MR]

S. 561, Safe Kids and Cars Act, S2266 [8MR]

S. 596, Electric Transmission and Reliability Enhancement Act, S2491-S2494 [10MR]

S. 603, Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act, S2517-S2521 [11MR]

S. 666, Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, S3037-S3053 [17MR]

S. 687, Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge (SPY BLOCK) Act, S3106-S3109 [20MR]

S. 689, Community Drinking Water Assistance Act, S3150 [4AP]

S. 832, Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act, S3826-S3828 [18AP]

S. 854, Ginseng Harvest Labeling Act, S4027 [20AP]

S. 1012, Patients' Bill of Rights Act, S5075-S5099 [12MY]

S. 1015, Health Care Choice Act, S5103-S5105 [12MY]

S. 1028, Military Personnel Financial Services Education Act, S5159 [12MY]

S. 1095, Protecting American Goods and Services Act, S5581 [20MY], S12712 [10NO]

S. 1205, Ratepayers Protection Act, S6238 [8JN]

S. 1216, Financial Privacy Breach Notification Act, S6319 [9JN]

S. 1332, Personal Data Privacy and Security Act, S7622-S7631 [29JN]

S. 1337, Fair and Reliable Medical Justice Act, S7637 [29JN]

S. 1347, Low-Cost Alternatives to Payday Loans Act, S7830 [30JN]

S. 1349, Video Choice Act, S7832 [30JN]

S. 1350, Wireless 411 Privacy Act, S7834 [30JN]

S. 1388, Regulatory Flexibility Reform Act, S8221 [13JY]

S. 1408, Identity Theft Protection Act, S8323-S8325 [14JY]

S. 1503, Healthy America Act, S8964-S8986 [26JY]

S. 1594, Financial Privacy Protection Act, S9515-S9517 [29JY]

S. 1599, Abolishing Aviation Barriers Act, S9519 [29JY]

S. 1608, Undertaking Spam, Spyware, and Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers Beyond Borders (U.S. SAFE WEB) Act, S9533-S9537 [29JY]

S. 1629, Hurricane Katrina Emergency Temporary Energy Price Freeze Act, S9736 [7SE]

S. 1640, Protection From Price Gouging Against Disaster Victims Act, S9845 [8SE]

S. 1699, Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, S12714 [10NO]

S. 1743, Post-Disaster Consumer Protection Act, S10300 [21SE]

S. 1744, Price Gouging Act, S10300 [21SE]

S. 1789, Personal Data Privacy and Security Act, S10725-S10734 [29SE]

S. 1827, Hospital Price Reporting and Disclosure Act, S11220 [6OC]

S. 1854, Treat Emergency Victims Fairly Act, S11237 [6OC]

S. 1868, Gasoline Affordability and Security (GAS) Act, S11325 [7OC]

S. 1878, Predatory Payday Loan Prohibition Act, S11438 [17OC]

S. 1879, Bankruptcy Prevention Credit Counseling Act, S11439 [17OC]

S. 1955, Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, S12244-S12251 [2NO]

S. 1973, Energy Tax Rebate Act, S12528-S12530 [8NO]

S. 1981, Windfall Profits Tax Act, S12611-S12613 [9NO]

S. 2084, Portable Generator Safety Act, S13503 [13DE]