On November 6, 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved an Operating Plan for Fiscal Year 2025, which outlines the agency’s strategic priorities and resource allocations for the year ahead. The plan comes at a time when the agency is grappling with significant budgetary constraints and staff shortages, and CPSC operating with nine … Continued
Political analysts will continue trying to read the tea leaves behind Donald Trump’s resounding victory at the polls for months to come. Trump’s embrace relatively late in the campaign of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again,” or MAHA, movement clearly played second fiddle to issues like inflation and immigration for most Trump voters. … Continued
Topics in this issue… New Report on the Health Impacts of Ultra-processed Foods CFA Applauds ATC on Click-to-Cancel Rule Tips for Hoe to Save Money on Homeowners Insurance CFA’s Policy Recommendations for a New Administration
The Affordable Housing Goals are a way by which the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the broader public can hold Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accountable to their public purpose. New Housing Goals are set every three years, and they serve as broad parameters of how well Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are serving … Continued
Earlier this week, protesters descended upon Kellogg’s Battle Creek, Michigan headquarters to call the company to task for its past promises around food additives. In 2015, Kellogg’s then President told investors, “We have been working to remove artificial colors and flavors” from the company’s foods, and “[o]ur goal is to complete this transition by the … Continued
Many American consumers are struggling to deal with skyrocketing homeowners insurance premiums. Since 2020, premiums have increased by 33%—far above the rate of inflation. Since lenders require people with mortgages to have this coverage, these price increases make it more important than ever to find ways to save. Some Reasons for Rising Homeowners Insurance Rates … Continued
Topics in this issue… New Report on Small Dollar Mortgages CFA Applauds Biden-Harris Administration’s Actions to Protect American Consumers in Trade Tips for How to Save Money on Rising Auto Insurance Premiums Over 40 Organizations Call for an End to Forced Arbitration with the FAIR Act
A new report by the Office of Senator Elizabeth Warren sheds light on how perverse incentives and kickbacks in the annuity industry harm retirement savers, highlighting the urgent need for stronger protections. Titled Cancun, Cruises, and Cash: How the Department of Labor’s New Retirement Security Rule Would End Industry Kickbacks that Cost Savers Billions, the … Continued
Housing affordability has emerged as a key issue this election cycle, but even the financial relief of lower interest rates or expanded downpayment assistance may not be enough to help first-time homebuyers. A new CFA research report has found that many buyers lose out not only because of escalated home prices, but also for a … Continued
The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released the following statement in response to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) proposed rule to strengthen record keeping of deposits received through third-party fintech relationships. The rule will require banks to ensure account records are maintained to determine the individual owner of funds and to perform reconciliation on … Continued
Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new actions to protect consumers and address the significant abuse of the de minimis exemption. CFA has been calling attention to the product safety risks associated with the rapid increase of e-commerce, including that purchases valued under $800 can be imported into the U.S. and sent directly to the … Continued
Auto insurance premiums are climbing, with a staggering 18.6% increase over the last year. As a vehicle owner, you’re required to have auto insurance, and with rates soaring, it’s essential to find ways to save. Here’s how you can lower your premium and what changes we’re advocating for at Consumer Federation of America and America Saves to make insurance more … Continued
Americans should have full confidence in the commitment of our nation’s law enforcers to identify and root out unlawful conduct that disproportionately harms communities of color. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made advancing racial equity a policy priority by focusing on marketplaces where consumers of color consistently experience structural barriers. It has frequently called … Continued
New research published in the journal Injury Epidemiology demonstrates the fatal consequences of county ordinances allowing on road use of off-highway vehicles (OHV). OHVs are not designed for on road use, and even the group representing ATV manufacturers and distributors unequivocally opposes the use of ATVs on roads. Most OHV deaths occur during on road … Continued
Earlier this month, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo sent a stern letter to the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) Presidents, telling them to step up to their mandate and mobilize a portion of their over $20 billion in resources to help resolve the nation’s housing supply crisis. Last Thursday the FHLB Presidents reacted … Continued
Topics in this issue… What the Next Administration Needs to Know to Lower Grocery Prices How Home Buyers and Sellers can Cope with New Real Estate Broker Rules and Practices CFA Supports FTC Chair Lina Khan’s Consumer Protection Achievements Congress Introduces Bills to Protect Infants from Hazardous Weighted Sleep Products
Americans hate inflation. And they really hate food inflation. With grocery prices up 20 percent compared to four years ago, the topic has attracted attention from both presidential campaigns. The 2024 Donald Trump / Republican party platform lists “end inflation and make America affordable again” as its third priority, behind “seal the border” and “carry … Continued
Topics in this issue… Consumer Groups Applaud CPSC Decision to Hold Amazon Accountable for Certain Hazardous Products CFA Releases Statement on Proposed FSIS Rule to Protect Consumers from Salmonella in Poultry CFA Supports Coalition Efforts for FHLB Mission Reform Tips to Help Consumers Get Fair Insurance Treatment After Hurricane Beryl
The five-person U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) appeared before the House Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee in a hearing titled “The Fiscal Year 2025 Consumer Product Safety Commission Budget” on July 23, 2024. Consumer Federation of America and Kids In Danger submitted a letter for the record. The Subcommittee hearing demonstrated the vital work … Continued
By now, policymakers understand the impact of Synapse’s bankruptcy on the tens of thousands of depositors who had funds in one of the company’s fintech partner accounts. The harm is material and also of historical significance: Synapse bankruptcy could prevent depositors from recovering their FDIC-insured funds. Since the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation … Continued
Topics in this issue… CFA Applauds Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Funding Structure for CFPB Rising Insurance Costs in Maryland A Guide to FTC Informal Hearings Alaska Legislature Passes First of its Kind Alcohol Cancer Warning Requirement
State Insurance Commissioners, depending upon how they carry out their role, have a significant impact on consumer budgets and can be key forces for consumer protection. And there is currently an excellent opportunity in one state—Maryland—for that power to be used for the better. Recently Maryland Insurance Commissioner Kathleen Birrane announced that she plans to … Continued
Topics in this issue: Broad coalition of 104 organizations tell Congress to support FTC CARS Rule New CFA report suggests why consumer disruptions will be much less than those predicted by realtors CFA comments on USDA declaration of Salmonella as an adulterant in certain chicken products new GAO report on FHLBanks highlights dangerous mission-creep of … Continued
The Federal Home Loan Banks issued well over one trillion dollars in debt last year and generated a record-setting $6.7 billion in net income. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that they receive an astounding $7.3 billion in subsidies. Even so, few Americans – and even few housing specialists – understand how this system of regional … Continued
What are FTC Informal Hearings? Those paying close attention to Federal Trade Commission rulemakings have likely noticed the FTC is conducting “informal hearings” in connection with its rules. These hearings are a unique feature of FTC rulemaking and have historically been criticized as roadblocks allowing rule opponents to delay the rulemaking process. While the FTC … Continued