Consumer Protection
My political career began as a consumer advocate when I led the successful campaign in 1969 to put freshness dates on products sold in the supermarket. I am a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, where I serve as the Chairwoman of the Consumer Protection subcommittee. On the Committee, I have continued my efforts to protect consumers from unfair business practices, unsafe products, insurance abuses, and harmful chemicals in products, and to improve the safety of children's products, vehicles, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Legislation I've Introduced
Safe Cosmetics Act – The Safe Cosmetics Act would phase out the use of dangerous chemicals, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, from use in personal care products. Visit Cosmetic Safety for more information.
More on Consumer Protection
Last week, President Biden announced he is pardoning all Americans who have been convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law. The executive order will benefit 6,500 people with federal convictions. The criminalization of marijuana and this nation's failed ‘War on Drugs' has devastated our communities of color. People of color are four times more likely to be arrested on cannabis charges – and are often targeted for longer prison sentences.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Task Force on Aging & Families, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led over 30 Members in responding to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Request for Information on the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.
History was made in Washington this week when President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act. This law makes the largest-ever federal investment in addressing the threat of climate change, lowers prescription drug costs, and implements commonsense measures to make wealthy individuals and corporations finally pay their fair share in taxes. Furthermore, small businesses and families making under $400,000 will not have to pay a penny more in taxes.
Last week, I wrote to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to learn what actions are being taken to address the threat of Tesla's advanced driver assistance systems.
WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act:
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and U.S.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Chair of the Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, introduced the Ensuring Friendly Skies for Passengers Act. This bill empowers the FTC to enforce antitrust violations and unfair or deceptive practices by airlines.
WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL-06), and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA-08) introduced bicameral legislation to provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with additional authority to protect consumers from the harm caused by traders that repeatedly manipulate electricity and natural gas markets. The Energy Consumer Protection Act is being introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).