Consumer Protection Act
Latest action. Referred to Senate Committee on Government Operations.
Consumer Protection Act - Title I: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes, as an independent, nonregulatory agency, the Consumer Protection Agency. States that the agency shall be headed by an Administrator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a four year term coterminous with the term of the President. Provides that the Administrator shall in accordance with this Act perform specified functions, including: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and Federal courts; (2) make grants to States and localities to encourage and assist consumer protection programs; (3) receive and transmit complaints from consumers; and (4) conduct, support, and assist research and other information-gathering activities related to the interests of consumers. States the Administrator shall prepare and submit directly to the Congress and the President, not later than April 1 of each year beginning April 1, 1974, an annual report, which shall include an analysis, evaluation, and review of those matters within his jurisdiction. Permits the Administrator to present to responsible officials in any Federal agency proceeding such relevant information in his possession as he deems necessary to enable the Federal agency to give due consideration to the interests of consumers. Permits the Administrator to request the initiation of a proceeding in a Federal agency. Authorizes the Administrator to participate in any State or local agency or court proceeding where the Administrator determines that the result of such proceeding may substantially affect an important interest of consumers and where his participation has been requested by a specified State official. Provides that each Federal agency which is considering any action which may substantially affect an important consumer interest to provide the Administrator with notice at such time as the public is given notice. Provides a procedure by which the Administrator is to transmit a consumer complaint to the Federal, State or local agency which has authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct, support and assist research, studies, investigations, conferences and surveys concerning the interests of consumers. Sets forth methods of disclosure to the public of the information gathered. Details the general powers and functions of the Agency. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Title II: Consumer Protection Grants Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to the States or local public agencies to assist in the development of consumer protection plans. Provides that the Federal share of any program shall not exceed 75 percent. Provides that such grants shall be for programs which perform specified tasks. Sets forth qualifications for recipients of such grants. Title III: General Provisions - Sets forth the definition of terms to be used in this Act. States that this Act shall be effective 90 days after enactment or on such earlier date as the President shall prescribe.
Written by analysts at the Congressional Research Service and published on Congress.gov, not by Civibrief. Summarized at the "Introduced in Senate" stage on March 8, 1973. It describes the bill, it is not the legal text.
Where is it in the process, and what happens next?
4 steps remain before this bill could become law.
The record's latest action, on March 8, 1973: Referred to Senate Committee on Government Operations.
- Clearing the committees it was referred to, and being scheduled for a floor vote
- Passage by the Senate
- Passage by the House
- The President's signature. If the President vetoes it, two-thirds of both chambers must vote to override.
How likely is it to become law?
Civibrief does not forecast outcomes and this page has no opinion about this one. What the record supports is a base rate, which is a fact about the whole pile, not a prediction about this measure.
In the 93rd Congress (1973-74), 651 of the 23,396 bills and joint resolutions introduced became law, about 2.8 percent. That count covers every measure at every stage, including the many that never left committee.
This one is not there yet: 4 steps are still outstanding, listed above.
Has anyone actually voted on it?
No. No roll call in this Congress cites this measure. That is the ordinary outcome: most measures never reach a recorded floor vote, and a committee ends most of them simply by not acting.
A vote is not the only thing that happens to a measure. Hearings, markups, and referrals are all recorded actions, and none of them is a vote of the full chamber.
Who is behind it?
JAMES ALLEN (D-AL) introduced it on March 8, 1973, and 5 members have since signed on as cosponsors.
They come from both major parties: 2 Democrats, 3 Republicans.
Cosponsoring is a formal signature on the text. It is not a commitment to vote for the measure, it does not bind anyone's party, and a long list of cosponsors is a measure of attention rather than of prospects.
How long has it been in play?
It was introduced on March 8, 1973, 19544 days ago. The most recent recorded action was 19544 days ago, on March 8, 1973.
Measures do not carry over. Anything the 93rd Congress has not finished by January 3, 1975 dies when the term ends, and has to be introduced again from the start in the next Congress.
Every answer above is assembled from this measure's own record on Congress.gov and from published counts of what Congress has passed before. Civibrief does not predict outcomes and takes no position on any measure.
Vote history
- SenateIn committee, no floor vote yet
- HouseAwaits Senate passage
- PresidentAwaits both chambers