Consumer Protection

CHICAGO – On May 22, the United States Senate passed legislation providing Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), or "fast track" for trade bills – not just to the current President but to whomever next sits in the White House. A vote on the bill is expected in the House in the coming weeks. Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement:

Today, BP announced an oil spill from its Whiting Refinery has contaminated Lake Michigan. State and federal authorities are still working to assess and contain the damage. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response to the news:

Washington, D.C. Today, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade held a hearing about electronic data security and breach notification. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, was pleased to welcome Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to share her perspective on those issues and to inform the committee about the steps the state has undertaken to protect consumers. Schakowsky issued the following statement after the hearing:

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing on the General Motors recall for faulty ignition switches that played a role in at least 31 frontal crashes and 13 deaths. Rep. Schakowsky issued the following statement on the hearing:

“The fact that 13 people lost their lives is extremely tragic, and it is even more painful because these deaths were avoidable.

Washington, D.C. – Today, General Motors (GM) announced its plan to compensate the victims of its failure to address defective ignition switches in its vehicles, and its failure to recall those vehicles in a timely manner. Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement in response:

Washington, D.C. – Today the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a final rule requiring rearview video systems in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. Rep. Jan Schakowsky – who sponsored legislation requiring this new safety provision – issued the following statement on the rule:

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, a National Labor Relations Board regional director ruled that Northwestern University football players are employees of the University and have the right to form a union and bargain collectively. Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement on this matter:

"I am pleased with the NLRB ruling that correctly recognizes Northwestern football players as University employees. These young men dedicate 40-plus hours a week for much of the school year to the football program and they deserve the right to unionize.

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement on the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which passed the House yesterday.

“My District has been hit by a series of so-called ‘100-year floods’, which have damaged the homes of many residents. Similar storms have impacted families all across our country. To address this issue, I was proud to vote for the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which passed the House yesterday.