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
Chicago, IL – Today, General Motors announced the results of their internal report. Rep. Jan Schakowsky issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
The internal report released today on the General Motors ignition switch defect is very troubling. It shows that the company, through a series of failures lasting more than ten years, repeatedly neglected to put the safety of its customers first. At least 13 people – and perhaps many more – died because GM did not adequately value safety.
Washington, D.C. – Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a settlement with General Motors over the company’s failure to report defective ignition switches to the agency and initiate a recall in a timely manner. Rep. Schakowsky issued the following statement in response:
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 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.
Yesterday, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proposed a new rule to protect the waters of the United States. The rule would make clear that the EPA and the Army Corps have the authority and responsibility to protect smaller bodies of water from harmful pollution – an authority which had come into question due to recent interpretations of Supreme Court rulings. U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement on the proposed rule:
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:
“I am incredibly concerned about the news of the Whiting tar sands oil spill and its possible impact on Lake Michigan, my constituents, and millions of other Chicagoans. Lake Michigan supplies drinking water for seven million Chicagoans, and it provides summer entertainment for swimmers, boaters, and beach goers. It is a truly irreplaceable resource, and the recent spill could jeopardize public health and the environment.
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.
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, DC (March 21, 2013) — Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Edward J. Markey released the following statement on the introduction of the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act:
Today Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Edward J. Markey introduced the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act, which closes major loopholes in the federal law that allows companies to use ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products known to damage human health and the environment.