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
Today I chaired on hearing on the Federal Trade Commission. We were joined by all 5 Commissioners as we discussed legislative proposals to modernize and improve the FTC and strengthen its ability to protect consumers from fraud and make them whole after being victimized.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee's Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, introduced the Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2021(FCRA) to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regularly study and reassess chemicals used in food, many of which have not been reevaluated for safety in decades. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) joined Schakowsky in introducing the legislation.
I was happy to join Congressman Cardenas in introducing the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act after the Supreme Court took away the Federal Trade Commission's ability to recover funds for defrauded consumers. This week, we passed this bill to restore that ability and help make sure consumers are protected and can be made whole if they become victims.
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House passed legislation by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Congressman Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), Vice-Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, to restore the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) 13(b) consumer protection powers to return money to defrauded consumers. In April, the Supreme Court took away a major tool from the FTC's ability to protect consumers from fraudsters and scammers.
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, applauded the passage of H.R. 3684, the INVEST In America Act. The monumental transportation package included auto safety legislation that will be transformative for the nation.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 3684, the INVEST In America Act, by a vote of 221-201:
WGN discussed the dangers of used cars with open recalls, and efforts by myself, Congressman Krishnamoorthi and Senator Blumenthal to protect consumers. #autosafety#usedcars#consumerprotection#autorecalls#airbags
During debate on the House floor of the INVEST In America Act, I discussed the auto safety provisions in the bill, which I ushered through my subcommittee. The bill also includes funding to help remove dangerous lead service lines in our water system. Illinois has nearly 680,000 lead service lines.
Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, hosted a press conference to highlight the auto safety provisions included in the INVEST In America Act, the infrastructure package the U.S. House will vote on this week.