CONSUMERS related term(s) Credit; Product Safety

Addresses

Impact of Cell Phone Use on Human Health: Representative Kucinich, E1855 [13OC]

Amendments

EPA: require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), H6420, H6422, H6423, H6425, H6426, H6427, H6428, H6429, H6431, H6434, H6435 [23SE]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), consideration (H. Res. 406), H6365 [22SE]

Financial Stability Oversight Council: strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), H5328, H5329, H5330, H5333, H5334, H5335, H5336, H5337, H5338, H5340, H5341 [21JY]

Articles and editorials

Bill To Tap Into Online Sales-Tax Revenue Makes Sense, S7438 [15NO]

Card Game—How Visa, Using Card Fees, Dominates a Market, S1569 [10MR]

Chief Threat to American Competitiveness—Our Tax Code, S7237 [9NO]

Get That Internet Tax Right, S7238 [9NO]

House GOP Targets Consumer Protection Bureau With CR, H1136 [17FE]

Internet Tax Is About Fairness, S7438 [15NO]

Level Field for Retailers—Requiring Online and Catalogue Retailers To Collect Sales Taxes Could Help the State Reach Worthwhile Goals, S7437 [15NO]

Never Mind the Lobbyists, Durbin Amendment Helps Small Banks, S1571 [10MR]

Online Sales Tax Bill Would Level Playing Field, S7437 [15NO]

Online Sales Tax Could Be a Boon, S7438 [15NO]

Online Sales Tax Path Is Clearing—After a Long Fight, States Are Winning, S7438 [15NO]

States Tell Congress Online Tax Loophole Costly, S8448 [8DE]

Bills and resolutions

Agriculture: prohibit fraudulently representing a product as maple syrup (see S. 1742), S6871 [20OC] (see H.R. 3363), H7331 [3NO]

———protect farmers and ranchers that may be harmed economically by genetically engineered seeds, plants, or animals and ensure fairness in dealings with certain biotech companies (see H.R. 3555), H8124 [2DE]

Alaska: promote availability of natural gas to North American markets by facilitating construction of Alaska-based pipelines (see S. 1812), S7155 [7NO]

Antitrust policy: restore application of Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers (see H.R. 1150), H1982 [17MR] (see H.R. 1943), H3342 [23MY]

———restore rule making it illegal for manufacturers to set a minimum price below which a retailer cannot sell the manufacturer's product (see S. 75), S124 [25JA] (see H.R. 3406), H7577 [14NO]

Armed Forces: require financial institutions that are creditors of members to comply with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and maintain a toll-free number to assist members (see H.R. 2329), H4527 [23JN]

Aviation: amend laws relative to approval of applications for the airport security screening opt-out program (see H.R. 1586), H2910 [15AP]

———ensure air passengers have access to necessary services while on a grounded air carrier and are not unnecessarily held on a grounded air carrier before or after a flight (see H.R. 729), H923 [15FE]

———require air carriers to refund baggage fees if baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, and require air carriers and ticket agents to include cost of checked baggage when quoting an airfare (see H.R. 712), H922 [15FE]

Business and industry: empower States to require online retailers to collect and remit State sales and use taxes (see S. 1832), S7294 [9NO] (see H.R. 3179), H6919 [13OC]

———list employers that relocate call centers overseas, make such companies ineligible for Federal grants and loans, and require call center employees to disclose their physical location (see H.R. 3596), H8260 [7DE]

———repeal disclosure requirements that allow for comparison of executive compensation to that of other employees (see H.R. 1062), H1796 [14MR]

———require employees at call centers who initiate or receive telephone calls to disclose physical location of such employees (see S. 1536), S5476 [9SE]

CFTC: impose position limits and margin requirements to eliminate excessive oil speculation and ensure that price of crude oil and derivative fuels reflects fundamentals of supply and demand (see S. 1200), S3812 [15JN] (see H.R. 2328), H4527 [23JN]

Clean Air Act: define next generation biofuel and allow States to opt out of corn ethanol portions of the renewable fuels standard (see S. 1085), S3426 [26MY] (see H.R. 2009), H3754 [26MY]

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate): authorize release of records on investigation of aggressive sales tactics on the Internet and their impact on consumers (see S. Res. 339), S7992 [29NO]

———authorize release of records on investigation of unauthorized charges on telephone bills (see S. Res. 338), S7991 [29NO]

Commodity Exchange Act: prevent excessive speculation with respect to commodity markets and energy contracts (see S. 1598), S5838 [21SE] (see H.R. 3006), H6342 [21SE]

Conservation of energy: assess potential of smart electronics to reduce home and office electricity demand and incorporate smart electronics into the Energy Star Program (see H.R. 2748), H5883 [1AU]

———incorporate smart grid capability into Energy Star Program, reduce peak electric demand, and reauthorize energy efficiency public information program to include smart grid information (see H.R. 2208), H4326 [16JN]

Contracts: establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses (see S. 987), S2929 [12MY] (see S. 1186), S3727 [13JN] (see H.R. 1873), H3278 [12MY]

Courts: bar debt collectors from bringing legal action on a debt in which the statute of limitations has expired against any consumer (see H.R. 2361), H4573 [24JN]

———eliminate the learned intermediary defense to tort claims based on product liability (see H.R. 542), H550 [8FE]

CPSC: exclude secondary sales, repair services, and certain vehicles from the ban on lead in children's products (see S. 69), S124 [25JA]

———exempt off-highway vehicles from certain lead prohibitions (see S. 1448), S5018 [28JY] (see H.R. 412), H468 [25JA]

———promulgate consumer product safety standards requiring child-proof closures on remote controls and other electronic products that use button cell batteries (see S. 1165), S3682 [9JN]

———provide with greater authority and discretion in enforcing consumer product safety laws (see H.R. 1939), H3342 [23MY] (see H.R. 2715), H5882 [1AU]

———require certain warning labels to be placed on video games that are given certain ratings due to violent content (see H.R. 400), H433 [24JA]

———require household cleaning products bear a label that contains a complete and accurate list of ingredients (see H.R. 3457), H7828 [17NO]

———restore jurisdiction over fixed site amusement park rides (see H.R. 2861), H5964 [7SE]

Credit: empower States to set the maximum annual percentage rates applicable to consumer credit transactions (see S. 1829), S7187 [8NO]

———encourage creditors to safeguard credit scores of members of Armed Forces and their immediate family in the event of a Government shutdown (see H. Res. 215), H2570 [8AP]

———encourage private capital to support secondary mortgage market and limit role of Federal Government and exposure of taxpayers to ensure availability of reasonably priced conventional mortgages (see H.R. 1859), H3277 [12MY]

———establish a mandatory mediation process for servicers of residential mortgages and borrowers (see H.R. 3595), H8260 [7DE]

———exclude from consumer credit reports medical debt that has been in collection and has been fully paid or settled (see H.R. 2086), H3985 [2JN]

———prohibit distribution of checks or other negotiable instruments as part of a creditor solicitation to extend credit and limit consumer liability in conjunction with such solicitations (see S. 1767), S6917 [31OC]

———prohibit use of consumer credit checks against prospective and current employees for the purpose of making adverse employment decisions (see H.R. 321), H353 [19JA]

———protect consumers from usury (see H.R. 336), H354 [19JA]

———require certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications and establish a grant program for State and local government mediation programs (see H.R. 1477), H2603 [12AP]

———require disclosure of terms of rental-purchase agreements (see S. 881), S2686 [4MY] (see H.R. 1588), H2910 [15AP]

———require inclusion of credit scores with free annual credit reports provided to consumers (see H.R. 769), H1176 (see H.R. 769), H1196 [17FE]

———require lender or servicer of a home mortgage, upon a request by the homeowner for a short sale, to make a prompt decision whether to allow the sale (see H.R. 1498), H2603 [12AP]

———restore and repair mortgage markets by making them transparent, bringing in private capital, and winding down Government-sponsored enterprises (see S. 1834), S7294 [9NO]

Crime: increase penalties for violations of securities protections that involve targeting senior citizens (see H.R. 774), H1177 (see H.R. 774), H1196 [17FE]

———prevent, promote awareness of, and educate the public on mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud targeting senior citizens (see S. 465), S1120 [2MR]

———prevent identity theft and tax fraud (see S. 1534), S5459 [8SE] (see H.R. 3215), H6976 [14OC]

Dept. of Agriculture: provide retail establishments with information on recalled meat, poultry, and eggs, require communication of such information to consumers, and protect against foodborne illnesses (see S. 1157), S3613 [8JN]

———repeal a duplicative inspection and grading program for catfish (see S. 496), S1329 [7MR]

Dept. of Defense: authorize a pilot program to sell certain products at commissaries that serve areas with military installations that have been adversely affected by a base closure or realignment (see S. 1044), S3224 [23MY]

Dept. of Energy: insure loans for financing of renewable energy systems leased for residential use (see S. 1126), S3427 [26MY]

Dept. of HHS: provide protections for consumers against excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory increases in insurance premium rates (see S. 137), S125 [25JA] (see H.R. 416), H468 [25JA]

Dept. of HUD: improve financial safety and soundness of the FHA mortgage insurance program (see H.R. 1977), H3409 [24MY]

———provide grants to State and local governments to carry out programs to provide mediation between mortgagees and mortgagors facing foreclosure (see H.R. 1131), H1906 [16MR]

Dept. of Justice: create and maintain a public database of administrative, civil, and criminal actions against corporate entities (see H.R. 323), H353 [19JA]

———prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property (see S. 968), S2928 [12MY]

———prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property by seeking injunctions against foreign websites dealing in illegal content and goods (see H.R. 3261), H7133 [26OC]

Dept. of the Treasury: establish centers of excellence in financial literacy education for young adults and families (see H.R. 300), H254 [18JA]

———provide a receipt to each taxpayer who files a Federal income tax return (see H.R. 1583), H2910 [15AP]

———terminate authority under the Troubled Asset Relief Program and prevent future bailouts (see H.R. 189), H40 [5JA]

Dept. of Transportation: clarify congressional intent of agricultural hours-of-service regulations relative to the delivery of agricultural commodities and farm supplies (see S. 1915), S7908 [28NO] (see H.R. 3265), H7133 [26OC]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: issue, upon request, veteran identification cards to certain veterans (see H.R. 2985), H6341 [21SE]

Drugs: ban the sale of certain synthetic drugs (see S. 409), S871 [17FE] (see S. 839), S2506 [14AP] (see H.R. 1571), H2909 [15AP]

———prohibit the manufacture, marketing, sale, or shipment of products designed to assist in defrauding a drug test (see H.R. 707), H922 [15FE]

Electric power: promote energy independence and self-sufficiency through net metering by certain small electric energy generation systems (see H.R. 1598), H2910 [15AP]

Endangered Species Act: improve information to consumers of Federal power marketing administrations about the costs associated with compliance (see H.R. 1719), H3060 [4MY]

EPA: publish list of vehicles that satisfy requirements for certification as a low emission and energy-efficient vehicle (see H.R. 2222), H4326 [16JN]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (see H.R. 1705), H3060 [4MY] (see H.R. 2401), H4575 [24JN]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), consideration (see H. Res. 406), H6271 [20SE]

FAA: prescribe regulations requiring air carriers to provide passengers with certain amenities and facilities (see S. 1913), S7829 [18NO] (see H.R. 3632), H8727 [12DE]

FCC: preserve free and open nature of the Internet, expand benefits of broadband, and promote universally available and affordable broadband service (see S. 74), S124 [25JA]

———prohibit from further regulating the Internet (see H.R. 96), H36 [5JA]

———promulgate regulations to improve billing disclosure to cellular telephone consumers (see S. 732), S2130 [5AP]

FDA: ensure safe use of cosmetics (see H.R. 2359), H4573 [24JN]

———ensure valid generic drugs may enter the market (see S. 1882), S7612 [16NO]

———help prevent occurrence of cancer resulting from the use of ultraviolet tanning lamps by imposing more stringent controls on the use of such devices (see H.R. 1676), H2933 [2MY]

———improve the safety of Internet pharmacies (see S. 2002), S8679 [15DE]

———provide additional quality control of drugs (see S. 1584), S5773 [20SE]

Financial institutions: adjust dollar limits on check hold policies (see H.R. 1660), H2913 [15AP]

———encourage the meeting of needs of borrowers in low- to moderate-income communities (see H.R. 1662), H2913 [15AP]

———enhance ability of community banks to foster economic growth and serve their communities, boost small businesses, and increase individual savings (see S. 1600), S5902 [22SE] (see H.R. 1697), H2998 [3MY]

———ensure that customers can immediately close accounts at insured depository institutions on demand and without cost, and that consumers receive any balance in accounts immediately (see H.R. 3077), H6505 [3OC]

———improve regulations dealing with disclosure of nonpublic personal information (see H.R. 653), H722 [11FE]

———permit certain current loans that would otherwise be treated as non-accrual loans as accrual loans for certain purposes (see H.R. 1723), H3060 [4MY]

———prohibit insured depository institutions from charging consumers fees for use of debit cards (see H.R. 3190), H6920 [13OC]

———provide protection for consumers who have prepaid cards (see S. 2030), S8775 [17DE]

———repeal certain debit card interchange price controls and restore balance to the electronic payments system (see H.R. 3156), H6853 [12OC]

———restore certain provisions of law to separate investment banking from commercial banking (see H.R. 1489), H2603 [12AP] (see H.R. 2451), H4748 [7JY]

———study the market and appropriate regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions (see S. 575), S1676 [15MR]

———sunset Federal laws and regulations that deny consumers the opportunity to make certain decisions on bank accounts and what type of information they receive from their banks (see H.R. 1095), H1841 [15MR]

Financial literacy: provide grants to promote (see S. 787), S2387 [12AP] (see S. 853), S2507 [14AP] (see S. 865), S2580 [2MY] (see H.R. 1918), H3301 [13MY]

———require financial literacy and economic education counseling for student borrowers (see S. 1260), S4024 [22JN] (see H.R. 2535), H5085 [14JY]

Financial Stability Oversight Council: strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (see H.R. 1315), H2265 [1AP]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), consideration (see H. Res. 358), H5284 [20JY]

Food: amend inspection laws to notify consumers of products produced from crops, livestock, or poultry raised on sewage sludge-treated land (see H.R. 254), H135 [7JA]

———require labels on food that contains, or is produced with, a genetically engineered material (see H.R. 3553), H8124 [2DE]

Foreign trade: require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the U.S. to establish registered agents in the U.S. who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers (see S. 1946), S8183 [5DE] (see H.R. 3646), H8880 [13DE]

FRS: bring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau into the regular appropriations process (see H.R. 1640), H2912 [15AP]

———increase transaction limits on passbook savings, statement savings, and money market deposit accounts (see H.R. 2251), H4363 [21JN]

———move the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau into the Dept. of the Treasury (see H.R. 557), H550 [8FE] (see H.R. 1355), H2291 [4AP]

———postpone date for transfer of functions to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if the Bureau does not have a Director in place (see H.R. 1667), H2933 [2MY]

———repeal authority of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prohibit certain acts or practices (see H.R. 2612), H5373 [21JY]

———replace the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with a 5-person commission and bring the Bureau into the regular appropriations process (see S. 737), S2187 [6AP]

———replace the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with a five person commission (see H.R. 1121), H1905 [16MR]

———replace the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the FRS as a member of the Board of Directors of the FDIC (see H.R. 2081), H3869 (see H.R. 2081), H3909 [1JN]

FTC: establish rules to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts or practices relative to the provision of funeral services (see H.R. 900), H1573 [3MR]

———establish the Office for the Prevention of Fraud Targeting Seniors (see H.R. 773), H1177 (see H.R. 773), H1196 [17FE]

———revise ``do-not-call'' registry regulations to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls (see H.R. 116), H37 [5JA]

Gambling: provide for Dept. of the Treasury licensing of Internet gambling, consumer protections, and enforcement of the tax code (see H.R. 1174), H1983 [17MR]

Government: require establishment of customer service standards for Federal agencies (see H.R. 538), H550 [8FE]

Government regulations: delay implementation of proposed or final rules relative to reasonable and proportional fees and rules for electronic debit transactions (see H.R. 1081), H1841 [15MR]

———encourage creative and technological innovations and oppose mandate for inclusion of terrestrial broadcast radio tuners in new mobile devices (see H. Con. Res. 42), H2855 [14AP]

Health: develop reports based on Medicare data, data that is publicly available, or private data that is provided by a requesting entity in order to improve the quality and efficiency of health care (see S. 848), S2507 [14AP]

———ensure the FTC bears the burden of proof in false advertising cases involving dietary supplements and dietary ingredients (see H.R. 2045), H3755 [26MY]

———improve health of individuals and reduce health care costs by reorienting health care system toward prevention, wellness, and health promotion (see S. 174), S127 [25JA]

———improve medical justice system by encouraging prompt and fair resolution of disputes, fostering alternatives to litigation, and combating defensive medicine (see H.R. 2205), H4326 [16JN]

———lower health premiums and increase choice for small business (see S. 1049), S3224 [23MY] (see H.R. 2676), H5661 [27JY]

———make the provision of technical services for medical imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments safer, more accurate, and less costly (see H.R. 2104), H3985 [2JN]

———prohibit misleading and deceptive advertising or representation in the provision of health care services and require identification of the license of health care professionals (see H.R. 451), H506 [26JA]

———reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform (see S. 197), S272 [26JA] (see S. 218), S338 [27JA] (see S. 1099), S3426 [26MY] (see H.R. 5), H433 [24JA]

———repeal mandate that individuals purchase health insurance (see H.R. 21), H33 [5JA] (see H.R. 1101), H1841 [15MR]

———review claims about effects of foods and dietary supplements on health-related conditions and diseases (see H.R. 2044), H3755 [26MY]

House of Representatives: establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in House parking areas at no net cost to Federal Government (see H.R. 1402), H2410 [6AP]

Housing: clarify treatment of homeowner warranties under current law (see H.R. 2446), H4748 [7JY]

———extend protection of interests of tenants in the case of any foreclosure on any dwelling or residential real property and establish a right of action to enforce compliance with such protections (see H.R. 3619), H8318 [8DE]

———require home inspections conducted for property with federally related mortgages be conducted by State-licensed or certified home inspectors and include such inspections in settlement statements (see H.R. 2191), H4277 [15JN]

Immigration: facilitate travel and investment in the U.S. by reforming visa procedures for certain foreign nationals investing in residential real estate (see S. 1746), S6871 [20OC] (see H.R. 3341), H7330 [3NO]

Information technology: limit ability of companies to share consumer geolocation information accessed through electronic communications devices (see S. 1223), S3891 [16JN]

———require retail establishments that use mobile device tracking technology to display notices to that effect (see H.R. 3629), H8318 [8DE]

Insurance: improve access to passenger vehicle loss data held by insurers (see S. 422), S1060 [1MR]

———improve consumer protections for purchasers of long-term care insurance (see S. 159), S126 [25JA]

———preserve consumer and employer access to licensed independent insurance producers (see H.R. 1206), H1984 [17MR]

———provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (see H.R. 346), H354 [19JA] (see H.R. 371), H394 [20JA]

Interstate commerce: prohibit restrictions on the resale of event tickets sold in interstate commerce as an unfair or deceptive act or practice (see H.R. 950), H1618 [8MR]

Law enforcement: clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet (see H.R. 2471), H4792 [8JY]

Liability Risk Retention Act: modernize and expand coverage to include commercial property insurance (see H.R. 2126), H4035 [3JN]

Medicare: authorize the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (see S. 31), S122 [25JA]

———exclude customary prompt pay discounts from manufacturers to wholesalers from the average sales price for drugs and biologicals (see S. 733), S2130 [5AP] (see H.R. 905), H1573 [3MR]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (see S. 44), S123 [25JA] (see H.R. 2248), H4363 [21JN]

Medicare/Medicaid: improve oversight of nursing facilities by preventing inappropriate influence over surveyors (see H.R. 2522), H5018 [13JY]

———prevent misuse, overutilization, and trafficking of prescription drugs by limiting access to such drugs by high-risk beneficiaries (see S. 882), S2686 [4MY]

Money: repeal legal tender laws, prohibit taxation on certain coins and bullion, and repeal superfluous sections related to coinage (see H.R. 1098), H1841 [15MR]

Motor vehicles: ensure availability of dual-fueled automobiles and light duty trucks and require major fuel distributors to install blender pumps in increasing numbers (see S. 152), S126 [25JA]

———lower gas prices by investing in cleaner vehicle technologies and infrastructure (see H.R. 1875), H3278 [12MY]

———prevent car and truck rental companies from renting or selling vehicles that are under manufacturer recall (see S. 1445), S5018 [28JY]

———protect consumers from discriminatory State taxes on motor vehicle rentals (see H.R. 2469), H4792 [8JY]

———protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, maintain, and repair their motor vehicles (see H.R. 1449), H2569 [8AP]

———provide incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles and increase investment in advanced vehicle technology, devlopment, and manufacturing (see S. 298), S614 [7FE]

———require dealers to disclose the presence of event data recorders on new automobiles and require manufacturers to provide the option to enable or disable such devices (see H.R. 2374), H4574 [24JN]

National Auctioneers Day: designate (see H. Con. Res. 41), H2665 [13AP]

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see S. Res. 306), S6872 [20OC] (see H. Res. 446), H7008 [24OC]

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: require disclosure of information on the fair market value and safety of damaged motor vehicles (see H.R. 164), H39 [5JA]

National Information and Referral Services Day: designate (see S. Res. 241), S4960 [27JY]

NIH: research risks posed by dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in feminine hygiene products and collect and analyze data on toxic shock syndrome (see H.R. 2332), H4527 [23JN]

Patents: modify penalty for false marking (see H.R. 243), H135 [7JA]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: allow waiver of certain requirements when the requirement would result in a significant decrease in access to coverage or significant increase in premiums or other costs (see H.R. 984), H1664 [9MR]

———ensure that all Americans have access to waivers (see S. 1395), S4802 [21JY]

———repeal health insurance tax (see S. 1880), S7612 [16NO]

———repeal prohibition on using medical savings account funds to purchase over-the-counter medications (see S. 1368), S4608 [14JY] (see H.R. 2529), H5085 [14JY]

Petroleum: provide relief from high gas prices by repealing subsidies for large oil companies, releasing oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, reforming royalty laws, and penalizing price gouging (see H.R. 1748), H3107 [5MY]

———reduce price of gasoline through offshore drilling, increased construction and investment in refineries, Federal fuel tax suspension, and free trade promotion (see H.R. 1102), H1841 [15MR]

Pharmaceuticals: allow importation of prescription drugs (see S. 319), S642 [10FE]

———prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market (see S. 27), S122 [25JA]

———prohibit marketing of authorized generic drugs (see S. 373), S792 [16FE] (see H.R. 741), H1039 (see H.R. 741), H1070 [16FE]

———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. 147), H39 [5JA]

Power resources: protect from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels (see H.R. 964), H1664 [9MR]

———provide relief for artificially high gas prices (see H.R. 1777), H3108 [5MY]

———require national energy policy to expand use of renewable and alternative sources, increase refining capacity, promote conservation and efficiency, and expand research and development (see H. Res. 162), H1725 [10MR]

———secure unrestricted reliable energy for American consumption and transmission (see H.R. 1023), H1724 [10MR]

Privacy: foster transparency about commercial use of personal information and provide consumers with choice about collection, use, and disclosure of such information (see H.R. 611), H679 [10FE]

———improve privacy of electronic communications (see S. 1011), S3052 [17MY]

———prevent identity theft, ensure privacy, and enhance penalties, law enforcement, and protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information (see S. 1151), S3541 [7JN]

———protect and enhance consumer privacy (see H.R. 1528), H2665 [13AP]

———protect consumers and businesses from identity theft and require notice of security breaches (see S. 1434), S5017 [28JY]

———protect consumers by requiring reasonable security policies and procedures to protect computerized data containing personal information and require data breach notification (see S. 1207), S3813 [15JN] (see H.R. 1707), H3060 [4MY] (see H.R. 1841), H3218 [11MY] (see H.R. 2577), H5149 [18JY]

———protect consumers from identity theft, provide notice of and remedies for security breaches, and enhance accountability and penalties for unauthorized use of personally identifiable information (see S. 1535), S5459 [8SE]

Product safety: ban use of bisphenol A in food and beverage containers (see H.R. 432), H469 [25JA]

———ban use of bisphenol A in food and beverage containers for children, baby food, and infant formula (see S. 136), S125 [25JA]

———prohibit the sale of any product to a consumer that is subject to a recall (see S. 330), S682 [14FE]

———require businesses to warn employees, consumers, and the appropriate Federal officials of any product or service that poses serious danger to the public (see H.R. 322), H353 [19JA]

Public utilities: provide electric consumers the right to access certain electric energy information (see S. 1029), S3170 [19MY]

Real estate: limit investor and homeowner losses in foreclosures (see S. 222), S338 [27JA] (see H.R. 2713), H5811 [30JY]

———prevent foreclosure of home mortgages and increase availability of affordable new mortgages and affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (see H.R. 363), H394 [20JA]

———proposed settlement between Dept. of Justice, State attorneys general, and mortgage services relative to mortgage fraud and the economic crisis (see H. Con. Res. 85), H7331 [3NO]

———provide for affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (see S. 170), S126 [25JA]

———require certain mortgagees to make loan modifications and establish a grant program for State and local government mediation programs (see S. 489), S1219 [3MR]

Recycled materials: support improvement in collection, processing, and consumption of recycled materials (see S. Res. 251), S5251 [2AU]

Safe Drinking Water Act: amend relative to consumer confidence reports by community water systems (see S. 1578), S5726 [19SE] (see H.R. 1340), H2266 [1AP]

———reauthorize provision of technical assistance to small public water systems (see H.R. 1427), H2533 [7AP]

SBA: improve certain programs to better assist small business customers in accessing broadband technology (see S. 257), S481 [2FE]

SEC: exempt certain regulatory requirements put in place under the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (see H.R. 2779), H5885 [1AU]

Securities: determine a customer's net equity based on the customer's last statement, prohibit certain recoveries, and change how trustees are appointed (see H.R. 757), H1176 (see H.R. 757), H1195 [17FE]

Senate: establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in Senate parking areas at no net cost to Federal Government (see S. 739), S2187 [6AP]

Senior citizens: establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security (see S. 1876), S7612 [16NO] (see H.R. 456), H507 [26JA] (see H.R. 776), H1177 (see H.R. 776), H1196 [17FE] (see H.R. 1086), H1841 [15MR]

———establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security and Medicare benefits (see H.R. 798), H1250 (see H.R. 798), H1361 [18FE]

———establish a Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights, establish State Home Care Ombudsman Programs, and provide quality assurance for home and community-based services (see S. 1750), S6871 [20OC]

———prevent abuse and exploitation of older individuals (see H.R. 577), H598 [9FE]

———provide greater health care freedom (see H.R. 151), H39 [5JA]

Small business: prevent the imposition of new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on small online businesses (see S. Res. 309), S7066 [2NO] (see H. Res. 95), H1039 (see H. Res. 95), H1070 [16FE]

Small Business Saturday: designate (see S. Res. 320), S7368 [10NO] (see H. Res. 468), H7714 [16NO]

Taxation: allow a deduction for interest paid on indebtedness incurred in connection with the purchase of a new automobile or light truck (see H.R. 3756), H10015 [20DE]

———allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance (see H.R. 636), H680 [10FE]

———deny any deduction for direct-to-consumer advertisements of prescription drugs (see H.R. 722), H922 [15FE]

———disclose certain tax return information relative to identity theft (see H.R. 1538), H2854 [14AP]

———expand availability of IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers (see H.R. 291), H202 [12JA]

———impose a retail tax on disposable carryout bags (see H.R. 1628), H2912 [15AP]

———make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes (see S. 24), S122 (see S. 80), S124 [25JA] (see H.R. 445), H470 [25JA] (see H.R. 476), H507 [26JA]

———make permanent the moratorium on Internet access taxation and multiple and discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce (see S. 135), S125 [25JA]

———promote neutrality, simplicity, and fairness in the taxation of digital goods and services (see S. 971), S2928 [12MY] (see H.R. 1860), H3278 [12MY]

———provide incentives for the establishment of supermarkets in certain underserved areas (see H.R. 1542), H2854 [14AP]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see S. 106), S125 [25JA] (see S. 1012), S3052 [17MY] (see S. 1934), S8148 [1DE] (see H.R. 428), H469 [25JA]

———repeal fossil fuel subsidies for large oil companies and distribute amounts raised to licensed drivers in order to provide relief from high gas prices (see H.R. 1813), H3159 [10MY]

———suspend the excise tax on highway motor fuels (see H.R. 1889), H3279 [12MY]

———terminate ethanol tax credits (see H.R. 2231), H4327 [16JN]

Telecommunications: require accurate disclosure to consumers of the terms and conditions of 4G service and other advanced wireless mobile broadband service (see S. 1695), S6461 [12OC] (see H.R. 2281), H4456 [22JN]

Television: establish signal quality and content requirements for the carriage of public, educational, and governmental channels and preserve support for such channels (see H.R. 1746), H3107 [5MY]

Transportation: prevent imposition of unreasonable transportation terminal fees (see S. 1922), S7991 [29NO] (see H.R. 1691), H2998 [3MY]

Transportation Security Administration: establish limitations on the use of advanced imaging technololgy for aircraft passenger screening (see H.R. 1279), H2213 [31MR]

———impose fees on air carriers that charge passengers for a first checked bag or a first carry-on bag (see S. 1918), S7991 [29NO]

Travel and tourism: require operators of international travel websites to provide information on potential health and safety risks associated with overseas vacation destinations marketed on the website (see S. 1753), S6872 [20OC] (see H.R. 1120), H1905 [16MR] (see H.R. 3241), H7007 [24OC]

Veterans: provide surviving spouses with certain protections relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures (see H.R. 1263), H2106 [30MR]

Water: encourage efficiency (see H.R. 1967), H3409 [24MY]

Cloture motions

Dept. of Justice: prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property (S. 968), motion to proceed, S8783 [17DE]

Letters

Baggage Fee Fairness Act: Kate Hanni, FlyersRights.org (organization), H2191 [31MR]

Clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet: Marc Rotenberg, Electronic Privacy Information Center, H8164 [6DE]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding: Americans for Financial Reform (organization), H1136 [17FE]

CPSC Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database funding: Representative Barton, Committee on Energy and Commerce (House), H1321 [18FE]

Debit Interchange Fee Study Act: several gasoline retail organizations, S2902 [12MY]

Exempt qualified residential mortgages from credit risk retention requirements: several Senators, S3568 [7JN]

Extend the public comment period before implementing any changes to certain EPA rules and actions: several health organizations, H6431 [23SE]

Marketplace Fairness Act: Betsy Laird, International Council of Shopping Centers, Inc., S7235 [9NO]

———Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee, S7238 [9NO]

———Bill Haslam, Governor of Tennessee and Christine Gregoire, Governor of Washington, National Governors Association, S8447 [8DE]

———David French, National Retail Federation, S7235 [9NO]

———Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, S8447 [8DE]

———Katherine Lugar, Retail Industry Leaders Association, S7235 [9NO]

———Larry E. Naake, National Association of Counties, Donald J. Borut, National League of Cities, Tom Cochran, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Jeffrey L. Esser, Government Finance Officers Association, S7234 [9NO]

———Lenny Eliason, National Association of Counties, S7234 [9NO]

———Luke Kenley, Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board, Inc., S7234 [9NO]

———Patrick T. Carter, Federation of Tax Administrators, S7234 [9NO]

———Stephen Morris and Richard Moore, National Conference of State Legislatures, S7233 [9NO]

Promulgate regulations regarding debit and credit card interchange transaction fees: Americans for Financial Reform (organization), S2023 [31MR]

———Anthony Evans, National Black Church Initiative (organization), S2184 [6AP]

———Brian E. Cartier, National Association of College Stores, S2025 [31MR]

———Gus K. West, Hispanic Institute, S2023 [31MR]

———Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Rainbow PUSH Coalition, S2183 [6AP]

———Joseph T. Hansen, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), S2024 [31MR]

———Main Street Alliance, S2184 [6AP]

———Merchants Payments Coalition, S2717 [5MY]

———Molly Corbett Broad, American Council on Education, S2023 [31MR]

———Senator Durbin, S2718 [5MY]

———several national and State trade associations, S2024 [31MR]

———Steven C. Anderson, National Association of Chain Drug Stores and Kathleen D. Jaeger, National Community Pharmacists Association, S2025 [31MR]

———Travis Plunkett, Consumer Federation of America, S2023 [31MR]

———U.S. Public Interest Research Group and Public Citizen (organization), S2023 [31MR]

Study the market and appropriate regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions: Molly Corbett Broad, American Council on Education, S3574 [8JN]

———Public Citizen (organization) and U.S. Public Interest Research Group, S3574 [8JN]

———Tom Gordy, Armed Forces Marketing Council, S3574 [8JN]

Wells Fargo & Co., eviction of Darlene Bowland from her home due to default on predatory loan: Representative Lofgren, H8878 [13DE]

Motions

Dept. of Justice: prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property (S. 968), S8783 [17DE]

EPA: require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), H6444 [23SE]

Financial Stability Oversight Council: strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), H5345 [21JY]

Press releases

Bills Introduced To Delay Swipe Fee Reform: National Small Business Association, S2024 [31MR]

Consumer Bureau, State Attorneys General Partnership Will Help Better Protect American Consumers of Financial Products and Services From Unlawful Acts and Practices: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, E711 [13AP]

Proposals

FDIC recoupment of money spent under the Troubled Asset Relief Program for mortgage foreclosure mitigation programs through a special assessment on large financial institutions, H1737 [11MR], H1861 [16MR]

Remarks in House

Agriculture: economic impact of ethanol production, H3210 [11MY]

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: economic impact of stimulus funding, H5169 [19JY], H5294 [21JY], H7153-H7156 [27OC], H7935 [30NO]

———impact of stimulus funding, H4339 [21JN]

Antitrust policy: restore application of Federal antitrust laws to the business of health insurance to protect competition and consumers, H114 [7JA]

Aviation: require air carriers to refund baggage fees if baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, and require air carriers and ticket agents to include cost of checked baggage when quoting an airfare, H2191 [31MR]

Business and industry: limit settlements resulting from noncompliance with consumer protection and deceptive advertising laws, E2289 [16DE]

Conservation of energy: assess potential of smart electronics to reduce home and office electricity demand and incorporate smart electronics into the Energy Star Program (H.R. 2748), E1460 [1AU]

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Dept. of the Treasury and FRS inspectors general report identifying and documenting mission-critical activities and legislative mandates, H5585 [27JY]

Courts: eliminate the learned intermediary defense to tort claims based on product liability (H.R. 542), E199 [10FE]

Cowles, Nancy: CPSC Chairman's Commendation Circle Award recipient, E2200 [7DE]

CPSC: hold Chinese manufacturers accountable for damages from installation of tainted drywall, H6259 [20SE]

———provide with greater authority and discretion in enforcing consumer product safety laws (H.R. 2715), H5823-H5828 [1AU], E1489 [2AU], E1502 [5AU]

———Publicly Available Consumer Product Safety Information Database funding, H1320-H1322 [18FE]

Credit: prohibit use of consumer credit checks against prospective and current employees for the purpose of making adverse employment decisions (H.R. 321), H3815 [1JN]

———provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan, H6910 [13OC]

———require certain mortgagees to evaluate loans for modifications and establish a grant program for State and local government mediation programs (H.R. 1477), H7582 [15NO]

Crime: prevent identity theft and tax fraud (H.R. 3215), H7733 [17NO]

Dept. of HHS: Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight personnel funding, H1323 [18FE]

———proposal to grant loans in order to launch health insurance co-ops in each State, H5167 [19JY]

Dept. of the Interior: describe extent to which and by when any oil found on leased property will decrease prices of crude oil and gasoline, H3143, H3144 [10MY]

Dept. of the Treasury: provide a receipt to each taxpayer who files a Federal income tax return (H.R. 1583), E764 [15AP]

Economy: depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to FRS proposal to print more money, H4955 [13JY]

———impact of inflation on consumers, H6081 [12SE]

———impact of switch to chained consumer price index as means to measure inflation, H5245 [20JY], H5377 [22JY]

———provide financial regulatory reform, protect consumers and investors, enhance Federal understanding of insurance issues, and regulate the over-the-counter derivatives markets, H648-H654 [10FE]

———reform the financial regulatory system of the U.S., H6559 [5OC]

EPA: conduct studies to identify pollution control policies which will lead to domestic job growth in the clean energy sector, H6428, H6429 [23SE]

———consider effects of certain rules and actions on clean energy jobs and clean energy companies, including those exporting clean energy technology, H6422, H6423 [23SE]

———determine whether requirements for pollution controls will result in lower gas prices at the pump, H4418 [22JN]

———ensure analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions include impact on low-income communities and public health, H6423 [23SE]

———exclude from review all rules and regulations that undergo a cost-benefit analysis as part of regulatory requirements, H6427, H6428 [23SE]

———extend the public comment period before implementing any changes to certain rules and actions, H6429-H6431 [23SE]

———include National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants relative to cement manufacturing facilities in analyses of impacts of certain rules and actions, H6426 [23SE]

———provide that maximum achievement control technology and cross-State air pollution rules have no legal force or effect, H6433, H6434 [23SE]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), H5953 [7SE], H6089 [12SE], H6277, H6330 [21SE], H6352, H6357, H6367, H6376-H6389 [22SE], H6418-H6446 [23SE], H6559, H6575, H6621 [5OC], H6632, H6633, H6635 [6OC], E1699, E1700, E1703, E1706, E1707, E1710, E1715, E1716, E1721 [23SE], E1735 [3OC]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), consideration (H. Res. 406), H6360-H6366 [22SE]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), motion to recommit, H6444, H6445 [23SE]

———require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions include pending rules on gasoline sulfur levels and vapor pressure, H6425, H6426 [23SE]

———require analysis of impact of delay of certain rules and actions on incidence of birth and developmental defects and infant mortality, H6424 [23SE]

———require interagency council to examine the cost and benefit of certain rules and actions to green energy companies, H6421 [23SE]

FAA: require commercial airlines to provide passengers notification of flight status by text message or e-mail, H2190 [31MR]

FDA: food safety activities funding, H4253-H4256 [15JN]

———help prevent occurrence of cancer resulting from the use of ultraviolet tanning lamps by imposing more stringent controls on the use of such devices (H.R. 1676), E778 [2MY]

FDIC: recoup money spent under the Troubled Asset Relief Program for mortgage foreclosure mitigation programs through a special assessment on large financial institutions, H1732, H1736, H1738, H1741, H1742 [11MR]

Federal agencies and departments: ensure agency rule reform does not create regulatory burdens for providing low-cost prescription drugs for seniors, veterans, servicemen, and their families, H8103 [2DE]

———exempt country of origin labeling rules from requirement of a congressional joint resolution of approval, H8235-H8237 [7DE]

———exempt major rules related to food, workplace, or consumer products safety, or air and water quality from requirement of a congressional joint resolution of approval, H8228, H8229 [7DE]

———exempt regulations protecting public health, environment, and food and workplace safety from agency rule reform, H8095, H8096 [2DE]

Federal-State relations: partnership between the Federal Government and the States to protect consumers of financial products and services, E710 [13AP]

Financial institutions: improve accountability and transparency in the financial system, end ``too big to fail'', end bailouts, and protect consumers from abusive financial services practices, H8999 [15DE]

———prohibit requiring a homeowner to purchase flood insurance in an amount that exceeds the outstanding principal balance on their mortgage, H4900 [12JY]

———protect consumers from predatory lending practices, H8878 [13DE]

———restore certain provisions of law to separate investment banking from commercial banking (H.R. 1489), H7076 [26OC]

———sunset Federal laws and regulations that deny consumers the opportunity to make certain decisions on bank accounts and what type of information they receive from their banks (H.R. 1095), E484 [15MR]

Financial Stability Oversight Council: allow non-voting members to challenge Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules, H5334 [21JY]

———prohibit from overriding Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules, H5329, H5330 [21JY]

———prohibit members from voting on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules if that rule would affect an institution where that member had recently been employed, H5333 [21JY]

———provide live online streaming or broadcasting of meetings pertaining to review of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulations, H5337, H5338 [21JY]

———require a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau analysis of impact of regulations on the financial industry and on consumers' and small business credit access, H5341, H5342 [21JY]

———require a supermajority to override Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules, H5330-H5333 [21JY]

———require any agency filing a challenge to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rules to provide certain disclosures, H5335, H5336 [21JY]

———restore time limits on review of regulations issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, H5336, H5337 [21JY]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, H8014 [1DE]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), H5301, H5317-H5348 [21JY], E1387 [22JY], E1402 [25JY]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), consideration (H. Res. 358), H5302-H5312 [21JY]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), corrections in engrossment, H5348 [21JY]

———strengthen review authority of regulations issued by Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (H.R. 1315), motion to recommit, H5346 [21JY]

FRS: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding, E317 [18FE]

———Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding through reductions in IRS enforcement funding, H1131-H1137 [17FE]

———ensure authority of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect consumers from abusive, predatory, unfair, and deceptive financial practices, H8744 [13DE]

———ensure authority of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect seniors from abusive, predatory, unfair, and deceptive financial practices, H5346 [21JY]

———expedite appointment of Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Director, H3927 [2JN]

———grant Consumer Financial Protection Bureau additional oversight of lending practices, H5338 [21JY]

———postpone date for transfer of functions to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if the Bureau does not have a Director in place, H5304, H5318, H5319, H5325-H5327 [21JY]

———reform Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to increase accountability and transparency, H8265 [8DE]

———replace the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with a five person commission, H5304, H5305, H5318-H5327, H5329 [21JY]

———require an Inspector General report on new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guidelines, regulations, rules, agency overlaps, expenses, and unmitigated balances, H5340 [21JY]

———transfer Consumer Financial Protection Bureau authority to the Dept. of the Treasury if no Commission chair is in place, H5339 [21JY]

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.: launch of new public relations campaign, E84 [20JA]

Government regulations: exempt any rulemaking to carry out the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act from requirement of complete analysis of potential impacts of rules on small entities, H8049, H8050 [1DE]

Health: encourage use of electronic medical records, H246 [18JA]

———reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, H215, H225 [18JA], H288 [19JA], H4511 [23JN]

———repeal mandate that individuals purchase health insurance, H5591 [27JY]

———repeal mandate that individuals purchase health insurance (H.R. 21), H214 [18JA]

———repeal mandate that individuals purchase health insurance (H.R. 1101), E487 [15MR]

———review claims about effects of foods and dietary supplements on health-related conditions and diseases (H.R. 2044), E972 [27MY]

Immigration: facilitate travel and investment in the U.S. by reforming visa procedures for certain foreign nationals investing in residential real estate (H.R. 3341), E2007 [4NO]

Insurance: provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (H.R. 346), H2524 [7AP]

Jobs and Energy Permitting Act: require EPA report on how enactment will increase oil and gas production and lower energy prices for consumers, H4409, H4410 [22JN]

Law enforcement: clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet (H.R. 2471), H8161-H8165 [6DE], E1276 [8JY], E2230 [12DE]

Medicare: authorize the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries, H5289 [21JY]

Money: repeal legal tender laws, prohibit taxation on certain coins and bullion, and repeal superfluous sections related to coinage (H.R. 1098), E483 [15MR]

Motor vehicles: lower gas prices by investing in cleaner vehicle technologies and infrastructure (H.R. 1875), H3295 [13MY]

National Auctioneers Day: designate (H. Con. Res. 41), H2612, H2614 [13AP]

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: observance, E2016 [4NO]

NIH: research risks posed by dioxin, synthetic fibers, and other additives in feminine hygiene products and collect and analyze data on toxic shock syndrome (H.R. 2332), E1174 [23JN]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: filing of lawsuits by States on constitutionality of federally-imposed mandate requiring individuals to purchase health insurance, H289, H290 [19JA]

———implementation of medical loss ratio requirements for health insurance plans, H267 [19JA]

———repeal certain limitations on contributions to flexible spending accounts and on purchase of over the counter medications, H529 [8FE]

———repeal of Patient's Bill of Rights, H241 [18JA]

———repeal of provisions that require extension of dependent coverage to adult children under age 26, H86 [6JA]

Petroleum: gasoline price levels, H1404 [1MR], H1495 [2MR], H1676 [10MR], H1973 [17MR]

———impact of oil speculators on gasoline prices, H2994 [3MY], H3065 [5MY], H3194 [11MY], H4081, H4152-H4157 [14JN], H4312, H4313 [16JN], E1109 [15JN]

———reduce dependency on foreign oil through increased offshore drilling, H7610 [15NO]

———reduce price of gasoline through offshore drilling, increased construction and investment in refineries, Federal fuel tax suspension, and free trade promotion (H.R. 1102), E487 [15MR]

Pharmaceuticals: provide tax credit to retirement age individuals, remove barriers to importation, and prohibit certain regulation of Internet sites relative to prescription drugs (H.R. 147), E7 [5JA]

Power resources: protect from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels, H3169 [11MY]

———protect from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels (H.R. 964), H1638, H1639 [9MR], H3359 [24MY]

Privacy: protect and enhance consumer privacy (H.R. 1528), H2860 [15AP]

Real estate: mortgage foreclosure prevention assistance programs funding, H2118 [31MR]

———prevent foreclosure of home mortgages, H6348 [22SE]

———reform mortgage foreclosure prevention assistance programs, H1670 [10MR]

Safe Drinking Water Act: amend relative to consumer confidence reports by community water systems (H.R. 1340), E623 [4AP]

Securities: determine a customer's net equity based on the customer's last statement, prohibit certain recoveries, and change how trustees are appointed (H.R. 757), E265 [18FE]

———require investment firms establish link to SEC-maintained website providing investment warnings and safety tips for Internet investing, H7305 [3NO]

Senior citizens: provide greater health care freedom (H.R. 151), E1 [5JA]

Taxation: disclose certain tax return information relative to identity theft (H.R. 1538), E719 [14AP]

———impose a retail tax on disposable carryout bags (H.R. 1628), E758 [15AP]

———make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes (H.R. 445), E112 [25JA]

———repeal fossil fuel subsidies for large oil companies and distribute amounts raised to licensed drivers in order to provide relief from high gas prices (H.R. 1813), H3117 [10MY]

Veterans: provide surviving spouses with certain protections relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures (H.R. 1263), H6727-H6729 [11OC], E653 [6AP], E1889 [18OC]

Remarks in Senate

Agriculture: prohibit fraudulently representing a product as maple syrup (S. 1742), S6875 [20OC]

Air pollution: impact of economy-wide global warming pollution emission cap and trade program, S1419 [9MR], S3073 [18MY], S6825, S6827 [20OC], S7309 [10NO]

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: impact of stimulus funding, S808 [17FE]

Antitrust policy: restore rule making it illegal for manufacturers to set a minimum price below which a retailer cannot sell the manufacturer's product (S. 75), S185 [25JA]

Aviation: ensure air passengers have access to necessary services while on a grounded air carrier and are not unnecessarily held on a grounded air carrier before or after a flight, S713 [15FE], S809-S811 [17FE]

———support Passenger Bill of Rights, S587 [7FE]

Bank of America Corp.: reversal of decision to charge debit card holders monthly fees, S6987 [1NO]

Business and industry: empower States to require online retailers to collect and remit State sales and use taxes (S. 1832), S7233-S7238 [9NO], S7436-S7439 [15NO], S8446-S8448 [8DE]

CFTC: impose position limits and margin requirements to eliminate excessive oil speculation and ensure that price of crude oil and derivative fuels reflects fundamentals of supply and demand (S. 1200), S3821 [15JN]

———set hard caps on speculative position limits for futures on energy commodities, S1594 [14MR], S2858 [11MY], S2983 [16MY], S3376 [26MY]

Clean Air Act: define next generation biofuel and allow States to opt out of corn ethanol portions of the renewable fuels standard (S. 1085), S3430 [26MY]

Colleges and universities: address increasing levels of student loan debt and default rates, S4956-S4958 [27JY]

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate): authorize release of records on investigation of aggressive sales tactics on the Internet and their impact on consumers (S. Res. 339), S8007 [29NO]

———authorize release of records on investigation of unauthorized charges on telephone bills (S. Res. 338), S8007 [29NO]

Committee on Deficit Reduction (Joint, Select): preserve benefits for Social Security recipients and continue to factor in the consumer price index, S7356-S7358 [10NO], S7423 [15NO], S7599 [16NO]

CPSC: exclude secondary sales, repair services, and certain vehicles from the ban on lead in children's products (S. 69), S181 [25JA]

———funding, S6993 [1NO]

———promulgate consumer product safety standards requiring child-proof closures on remote controls and other electronic products that use button cell batteries (S. 1165), S3688 [9JN]

———provide with greater authority and discretion in enforcing consumer product safety laws (H.R. 2715), S5199 [1AU], S5236 [2AU]

Credit: empower States to set the maximum annual percentage rates applicable to consumer credit transactions (S. 1829), S7193 [8NO]

———promulgate regulations regarding debit and credit card interchange transaction fees, S1568-S1572 [10MR], S1747-S1749 [16MR], S1778-S1780 [17MR], S2020-S2026, S2029 [31MR], S2146-S2148, S2183 [6AP], S2218 [7AP], S2471 [14AP], S2715-S2720 [5MY], S3041-S3044 [17MY], S3509 [6JN], S3528 [7JN], S6903 [31OC]

———require disclosure of credit score used to evaluate consumers when score results in an adverse action, S8369 [6DE]

———require inclusion of credit scores with free annual credit reports provided to consumers, S4793 [21JY]

———restore and repair mortgage markets by making them transparent, bringing in private capital, and winding down Government-sponsored enterprises (S. 1834), S7269-S7271 [9NO]

Crime: prevent identity theft and tax fraud (S. 1534), S5461 [8SE], S5595 [14SE]

Dept. of Agriculture: repeal a duplicative inspection and grading program for catfish (S. 496), S1330 [7MR]

Dept. of Defense: authorize a pilot program to sell certain products at commissaries that serve areas with military installations that have been adversely affected by a base closure or realignment (S. 1044), S3226 [23MY]

Dept. of Energy: insure loans for financing of renewable energy systems leased for residential use (S. 1126), S3442 [26MY]

Dept. of HHS: establish Office of Health Plan Management to administer the Consumer Choice Health Plan to provide an affordable and accountable public option for consumers, S389 [1FE]

———provide protections for consumers against excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory increases in insurance premium rates (S. 137), S204-S206 [25JA]

Dept. of Justice: prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property (S. 968), S2936-S2941 [12MY], S3419 [26MY], S7776 [17NO]

———prevent online threats to economic creativity and theft of intellectual property (S. 968), motion to proceed, S8783 [17DE]

Drugs: ban the sale of certain synthetic drugs (S. 839), S2520 [14AP]

Economy: address issues relative to economic disparity, S7120 [3NO]

EPA: require analyses of the cumulative and incremental impacts of certain rules and actions (H.R. 2401), S7176 [8NO]

FCC: preserve free and open nature of the Internet, expand benefits of broadband, and promote universally available and affordable broadband service (S. 74), S182 [25JA]

———promulgate regulations to improve billing disclosure to cellular telephone consumers (S. 732), S2139 [5AP]

FDA: ensure valid generic drugs may enter the market (S. 1882), S7616 [16NO]

———improve the safety of Internet pharmacies (S. 2002), S8684 [15DE]

———prohibit funding to prevent individuals from importing prescription drugs from Canada for personal use, S6650 [18OC], S6730, S6749 [19OC], S6794, S6797, S6801 [20OC]

FDIC: guidance on bank overdraft protection programs, S2219 [7AP]

Financial institutions: enhance ability of community banks to foster economic growth and serve their communities, boost small businesses, and increase individual savings (S. 1600), S8056 [30NO]

———study the market and appropriate regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions, S3515-S3518, S3522, S3528-S3535 [7JN], S3571-S3575, S3579-S3594, S3600 [8JN], S3665 [9JN], S6018 [3OC], S6061 [4OC], S6988 [1NO]

———study the market and appropriate regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions (S. 575), S2029 [31MR], S2471 [14AP], S2902 [12MY], S3093 [18MY]

Financial literacy: require financial literacy and economic education counseling for student borrowers (S. 1260), S4040 [23JN]

Foreign trade: require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the U.S. to establish registered agents in the U.S. who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers (S. 1946), S8186 [5DE]

FRS: ensure authority of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to protect consumers from abusive, predatory, unfair, and deceptive financial practices, S8369 [6DE], S8409 [7DE], S8471 [12DE]

———reform Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to increase accountability and transparency, S4625 [18JY], S8346 [6DE], S8422-S8428 [8DE]

FTC: investigation into impact of oil speculators on gasoline prices, S4054 [23JN]

Government regulations: impact on community banks, S2217-S2219 [7AP]

Health: improve health of individuals and reduce health care costs by reorienting health care system toward prevention, wellness, and health promotion (S. 174), S229 [25JA]

———reduce health care and insurance costs through medical malpractice tort reform, S448 [2FE], S7274, S7275 [9NO]

Information technology: limit ability of companies to share consumer geolocation information accessed through electronic communications devices (S. 1223), S3793-S3795 [15JN]

Medicare: exclude customary prompt pay discounts from manufacturers to wholesalers from the average sales price for drugs and biologicals (S. 733), S2139 [5AP]

———require the Dept. of HHS to negotiate lower covered part D prescription drug prices for beneficiaries (S. 44), S2369 [12AP]

Medicare/Medicaid: prevent misuse, overutilization, and trafficking of prescription drugs by limiting access to such drugs by high-risk beneficiaries (S. 882), S6592 [17OC]

Motor vehicles: ensure availability of dual-fueled automobiles and light duty trucks and require major fuel distributors to install blender pumps in increasing numbers (S. 152), S3860 [16JN]

———provide incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles and increase investment in advanced vehicle technology, devlopment, and manufacturing (S. 298), S616 [7FE]

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (S. Res. 306), S6889 [20OC]

National Information and Referral Services Day: designate (S. Res. 241), S7583 [15NO]

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: ensure that all Americans have access to waivers (S. 1395), S4803 [21JY], S5351 [7SE]

———repeal health insurance tax (S. 1880), S7614-S7616 [16NO]

———repeal prohibition on using medical savings account funds to purchase over-the-counter medications (S. 1368), S4609 [14JY]

Petroleum: gasoline price levels, S1711 [16MR], S1806-S1808 [17MR], S1957 [30MR], S2756 [9MY], S2818 [10MY], S2855 [11MY]

———impact of oil speculators on gasoline prices, S2855 [11MY], S2904 [12MY]

Pharmaceuticals: allow importation of prescription drugs (S. 319), S644 [10FE]

———prohibit brand name drug companies from compensating generic drug companies to delay the entry of a generic drug into the market (S. 27), S143 [25JA]

———prohibit marketing of authorized generic drugs, S1098 [2MR]

———prohibit marketing of authorized generic drugs (S. 373), S797 [16FE]

Privacy: improve privacy of electronic communications (S. 1011), S3054 [17MY], S6864 [20OC]

———prevent identity theft, ensure privacy, and enhance penalties, law enforcement, and protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information (S. 1151), S3544 [7JN]

———protect consumers by requiring reasonable security policies and procedures to protect computerized data containing personal information and require data breach notification (S. 1207), S3836 [15JN]

Product safety: ban use of bisphenol A in food and beverage containers for children, baby food, and infant formula (S. 136), S203 [25JA]

Public utilities: provide electric consumers the right to access certain electric energy information (S. 1029), S3176 [19MY]

Real estate: exempt qualified residential mortgages from credit risk retention requirements, S1113 [2MR], S3568, S3569 [7JN], S4466, S4467 [11JY]

———provide for affordable refinancing of mortgages held by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (S. 170), S228 [25JA]

———require certain mortgagees to make loan modifications and establish a grant program for State and local government mediation programs (S. 489), S1232, S1235 [3MR]

Recycled materials: support improvement in collection, processing, and consumption of recycled materials (S. Res. 251), S7627 [16NO]

Safe Drinking Water Act: amend relative to consumer confidence reports by community water systems (S. 1578), S7696 [17NO]

SBA: improve certain programs to better assist small business customers in accessing broadband technology (S. 257), S483 [2FE]

Senate: establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in Senate parking areas at no net cost to Federal Government (S. 739), S2189 [6AP]

Senior citizens: establish a consumer price index for elderly consumers to compute cost-of-living increases for Social Security (S. 1876), S7637, S7638 [17NO], S7988 [29NO]

Small business: prevent the imposition of new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on small online businesses (S. Res. 309), S7082 [2NO]

Small Business Saturday: designate (S. Res. 320), S7391 [10NO]

Taxation: make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes (S. 80), S186 [25JA]

———promote neutrality, simplicity, and fairness in the taxation of digital goods and services (S. 971), S2941 [12MY]

———provide additional protections for recipients of the earned income tax credit, S354 [31JA]

Telecommunications: impact of media consolidation, S2666 [4MY]

Travel and tourism: require operators of international travel websites to provide information on potential health and safety risks associated with overseas vacation destinations marketed on the website (S. 1753), S6877 [20OC]

Reports

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Identified and Documented Mission-Critical Activities and Legislative Mandates: Dept. of the Treasury and FRS, H5585 [27JY]

Reports filed

Battery Recharging Stations Establishment for Privately Owned Vehicles in Senate Parking Areas at No Net Cost to Federal Government: Committee on Rules and Administration (Senate) (S. 739), S2927 [12MY]

Burdensome Data Collection Relief Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1062) (H. Rept. 112-142), H4944 [12JY]

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Transfer Clarification Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1667) (H. Rept. 112-93), H3762 [27MY], H5238 [19JY]

Combating Dangerous Synthetic Stimulants Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 409), S5017 [28JY]

Combating Designer Drugs Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 839), S5017 [28JY]

Consideration of H.R. 1315, Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 358) (H. Rept. 112-172), H5284 [20JY]

Consideration of H.R. 2401, Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 406) (H. Rept. 112-213), H6271 [20SE]

Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1315) (H. Rept. 112-89), H3644, H3682 [25MY], H5238 [19JY]

Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 75), S7126 [3NO]

Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-Cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 112-39), H3341 [23MY]

———Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 5) (H. Rept. 112-39), H1982 [17MR]

Limiting Investor and Homeowner Loss in Foreclosure Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 222), S2046 [31MR]

Personal Data Privacy and Security Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1151), S5902 [22SE]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1151) (S. Rept. 112-91), S7154 [7NO]

Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 1535), S5902 [22SE]

Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 27), S4845 [22JY]

Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act: Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 968), S3426 [26MY]

———Committee on the Judiciary (Senate) (S. 968) (S. Rept. 112-39), S4845 [22JY]

Provide Surviving Spouses of Veterans With Certain Protections Relating to Mortgages and Mortgage Foreclosures: Committee on Veterans' Affairs (House) (H.R. 1263) (H. Rept. 112-234), H6623 [5OC]

Responsible Consumer Financial Protection Regulations Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 1121) (H. Rept. 112-107), H4325 [16JN], H5238 [19JY]

SEC Exemption of Inter-Affiliate Swaps From Certain Regulatory Requirements Put in Place Under the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Committee on Financial Services (House) (H.R. 2779) (H. Rept. 112-343), H10026 [23DE]

Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 2401) (H. Rept. 112-208), H6230 [15SE]

Video Tape Service Provider May Obtain a Consumer's Informed, Written Consent on an Ongoing Basis and That Consent May Be Obtained Through the Internet: Committee on the Judiciary (House) (H.R. 2471) (H. Rept. 112-312), H8124 [2DE]

Statements

Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act Markup (2009): Committee on Financial Services (House) Republican members, H5307 [21JY]

Promulgate Regulations Regarding Debit and Credit Card Interchange Transaction Fees: Consumer Federation of America, S2184 [6AP]

Summaries

American Power Act, S1665 [15MR]

Texts of

H. Res. 358, consideration of H.R. 1315, Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act, H5302 [21JY]

H. Res. 406, consideration of H.R. 2401, Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act, H6360 [22SE]

H.R. 1263, provide surviving spouses of veterans with certain protections relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures, H6727 [11OC]

H.R. 1315, Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act, H5328 [21JY]

H.R. 2401, Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act, H6419 [23SE]

H.R. 2471, clarify that a video tape service provider may obtain a consumer's informed, written consent on an ongoing basis and that consent may be obtained through the Internet, H8161 [6DE]

H.R. 2715, provide CPSC with greater authority and discretion in enforcing consumer product safety laws, H5823-H5826 [1AU]

S. 27, Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act, S144-S146 [25JA]

S. 31, Prescription Drug and Health Improvement Act, S151 [25JA]

S. 74, Internet Freedom, Broadband Promotion, and Consumer Protection Act, S183-S185 [25JA]

S. 75, Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act, S186 [25JA]

S. 80, make permanent the tax deduction of State and local general sales taxes, S187 [25JA]

S. 136, Ban Poisonous Additives Act, S204 [25JA]

S. 137, Health Insurance Rate Review Act, S206 [25JA]

S. 174, Health Lifestyles and Prevention (HeLP) America Act, S229-S239 [25JA]

S. 257, Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act, S484 [2FE]

S. 489, Preserving Homes and Communities Act, S1233-S1235 [3MR]

S. 732, Cell Phone Bill Shock Act, S2139 [5AP]

S. 733, exclude customary prompt pay discounts from manufacturers to wholesalers from the average sales price for drugs and biologicals, S2140 [5AP]

S. 739, establish battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in Senate parking areas at no net cost to Federal Government, S2189 [6AP]

S. 968, Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property (PROTECT IP) Act, S2937-S2940 [12MY]

S. 1011, improve privacy of electronic communications, S3055-S3057 [17MY]

S. 1029, Electric Consumer Right To Know (e-KNOW) Act, S3177 [19MY]

S. 1049, Small Business Health Relief Act, S3228 [23MY]

S. 1126, Renewable Energy Access Through Leasing (REAL) Act, S3442-S3444 [26MY]

S. 1151, Personal Data Privacy and Security Act, S3545-S3552 [7JN]

S. 1223, Location Privacy Protection Act, S3894-S3896 [16JN]

S. 1260, College Literacy in Finance and Economics (College LIFE) Act, S4032 [22JN]

S. 1534, Identity Theft and Tax Fraud Prevention Act, S5462 [8SE]

S. 1742, Maple Agriculture Protection and Law Enforcement (MAPLE) Act, S6875 [20OC]

S. 1753, International Travelers Bill of Rights Act, S6877 [20OC]

S. 1832, Marketplace Fairness Act, S7296 [9NO]

S. 1882, Fair and Immediate Release of Generic Drugs (FAIR Generics) Act, S7616 [16NO]

S. 2002, Online Pharmacy Safety Act, S8685-S8687 [15DE]

S. Res. 241, National Information and Referral Services Day, S4962 [27JY], S7584 [15NO]

S. Res. 251, support improvement in collection, processing, and consumption of recycled materials, S5267 [2AU], S7627 [16NO]

S. Res. 306, support goals and ideals of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, S6880, S6889 [20OC]

S. Res. 309, prevent the imposition of new burdensome or unfair tax collecting requirements on small online businesses, S7082 [2NO]

S. Res. 320, Small Business Saturday, S7385, S7391 [10NO]

S. Res. 338, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) release of records on investigation of unauthorized charges on telephone bills authorization, S7997, S8007 [29NO]

S. Res. 339, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) release of records on investigation of aggressive sales tactics on the Internet and their impact on consumers authorization, S7997, S8007 [29NO]