Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted in support of H.R. 2668, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act.  This legislation will restore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) authority to return money to victims of frauds and scams.  Congresswoman Fletcher is an original co-sponsor of the legislation, which passed the House of Representatives, 221-205. 

“Congress has acted swiftly to restore the FTC’s ability to seek meaningful relief on behalf of Americans who have been defrauded, and it could not come at a more important time,” said Congresswoman Fletcher.  “As a lawyer, I know how important these remedies are not only to the successful litigation of individual cases, but to deterring bad behaviors.  That is why I was glad to co-sponsor the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act, to work to get it passed through my committee, and to see it pass the House today.” 

The Consumer Protection and Recovery Act will restore the FTC’s ability to obtain refunds for Americans by amending section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act to provide the agency with express authority to obtain both injunctive and monetary relief for all violations of those laws it enforces.  Section 13(b) authorizes the FTC to bring suit in federal courts seeking relief for consumers.  But on April 22, 2021, the Supreme Court held that section 13(b) is limited to injunctive relief (stopping or mandating certain conduct) and does not allow the FTC to seek monetary relief or require bad actors to return money earned through illegal activity.  This legislation restores the FTC’s ability to seek monetary relief and to return money earned through illegal activity.  Over the past five years, the FTC has used this ability to refund $11.2 billion to consumers who have been targeted by illegal scams and practices. 

Congresswoman Fletcher serves as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Consumer Protection Subcommittee.