ICYMI: Senator Markey and NCL Calls for a Restoration of Fuel Economy Standards That Save Americans Money at the Pump

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Washington (May 13, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today hosted a press conference calling on the Trump administration to end its proposed rule to roll back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which save money for drivers and reduce oil consumption. Senator Markey was joined by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), the National Consumers League, Moms Clean Air Force, and a local business owner feeling the pain of high gas prices caused by Trump’s expensive, dangerous, and unnecessary war with Iran. President Trump’s war of choice in Iran has caused gas prices to spike by more than $1.50 in just over two months. Senator Markey also called on car manufacturers to voluntarily recognize previous, more stringent fuel economy standards amidst the ongoing fuel cost crisis.

“With one hand, Donald Trump is rolling back the very standards that keep our vehicles leaner, cleaner, and cheaper, and with the other hand he is driving up gas prices,” said Senator Markey. “That’s like a doctor who makes you sick, withholds the cure, and sends you a bill for both. I am calling on the administration to withdraw their proposed rule to roll back these standards in light of the energy emergency they single-handedly created.”

“Costs are low when fuel economy standards are high,” said Daniel Greene, the Senior Director of Product Safety & Consumer Protection at the National Consumers League. “But in the midst of sky-high gasoline prices and a deepening affordability crisis, the Trump administration response is to weaken federal fuel economy standards. That’s like pouring gasoline onto an open fire – gasoline that costs $4.50 a gallon. The National Consumers League urges the Trump administration to halt its assault on affordability and preserve robust fuel economy standards.”

“As an African American mother, grandmother, and one of the millions of people who drive a car, I have a simple message to the Trump administration: stop putting American families’ health last. Improved fuel economy standards save us money—and save lives too. Tailpipe pollution is a major threat to children’s health and is known to damage our lungs, hearts, and brains. Our children and families deserve better,” said Almeta Cooper, National Manager for Health Justice for Moms Clean Air Force.

In February, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) led 78 lawmakers in a letter to the Administration calling on it to withdraw its proposed rollback of fuel economy standards. Last month, Senator Markey introduced his No Big Fossil Bailouts on Your Power Bill Act as a response to the Trump administration’s abuse of energy emergency powers to force power plants to continue operating beyond their planned retirement dates, causing bills to soar and pollution to surge as a result. Senator Markey has been a fuel economy champion since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 included fuel economy language co-authored by then-Rep. Markey to push for more protective standards.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

Consumer Groups Urge FTC to Regulate Food Delivery Fees, Call for More Action to Fight Unlawful Pricing  

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL), the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), and five other public interest organizations filed a joint comment supporting Federal Trade Commission (FTC) action to prohibit hidden fees in food delivery services. The FTC’s pro-consumer effort would bring relief and clarity to shoppers who use food and grocery delivery apps, who (or many of whom) are often individuals with limited mobility or disabilities.   

While supportive of the Commission’s rulemaking, NCL urged the agency to go after hidden fees in additional industries by expanding the scope of the regulation to apply economy-wide, rather than being specific to food delivery. The groups also urged the FTC to ban personalized pricing—a practice fueled by invasive data collection that preys on everyday Americans.  

“There is a longstanding consensus that hidden fees harm consumers and violate the law. Americans now know that dynamic pricing is just as rotten, especially when it’s personalized to exactly how much businesses think they can squeeze from you,” said NCL Senior Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil. “We should not be subjected to a guessing game just to figure out the price of something. It’s important that the FTC works quickly to investigate and stop these unlawful business practices.”  

Recently, the FTC also initiated a proceeding to address hidden fees in rental housing. In 2024, the Commission finalized a regulation to prohibit hidden fees in live-event ticketing and short-term lodging. NCL supports each of these rulemakings, but the FTC’s industry-by-industry approach will take several years to adequately address the breadth of fees plaguing the American economy—and risks excluding currently unforeseen industries’ use of hidden fees. A single, comprehensive regulation would more effectively protect consumers and preclude the practice from reappearing in the future.   

NCL and EPIC’s joint comment received support from Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, the Demand Progress Education Fund, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, and Travelers United.  

The full comment can be found here.  

Additional reading 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

As Gas Prices Continue to Rise, Senator Markey and NCL Call on Trump Administration to End Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards That Save Americans Money at the Pump

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington DC— (May 12, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, will host a press conference TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00PM EST to call on the Trump administration to end its proposed rule to roll back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which save money for drivers and reduce oil consumption. President Trump’s war of choice in Iran has caused gas prices to spike by more than $1.50 in just over two months.

Senator Markey has been a fuel economy champion since the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 included fuel economy language co-authored by then-Rep. Markey to push for more protective standards.

WHO: Senator Markey

— Daniel Greene, Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety at the National Consumers League

— Almeta Cooper, National Manager for Health Justice for Moms Clean Air Force

— Small Business Owner

WHEN: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 12:00PM EST

WHERE: Russell Senate Office Building, SR-198

The press conference will be livestreamed to Senator Markey’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch.

Press should RSVP to Markey_Press@markey.senate.gov

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Rising Grocery Prices Continue to Hammer American Families Says National Consumers League

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – New federal food price forecasts paint a troubling picture for American consumers: grocery prices are expected to keep rising in 2026, further straining household budgets nationwide. According to the 2026 Consumer Price Index Summary, prices increased 0.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis in a single month, pushing annual inflation to 3.8% — the highest level recorded since May 2023.

“Consumers feel battered every time they walk into a grocery store,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “Families are paying more for basics like meat, bread, beverages, and produce while wages simply are not keeping pace with the rising cost of living. For millions of Americans, grocery shopping is no longer routine — it’s financially stressful.”

Some of the sharpest price increases are hitting everyday essentials that consumers rely on most. Grocery prices rose 2.9 percent over the past year, while fruits and vegetables jumped 6.1 percent, and nonalcoholic beverages increased 5.1 percent. Restaurant prices also climbed 3.6 percent over the last year, continuing to strain household budgets.

“At a moment when Americans are already stretched thin, consumers deserve transparency, accountability, and meaningful action to address affordability,” Greenberg added. “No family should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for medicine, rent, or utilities. To add insult to injury are the skyrocketing gas prices.”

NCL warns that rising food prices disproportionately harm working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and low-income households already burdened by higher housing, healthcare, and childcare costs. We are calling on policymakers to closely examine market conditions, supply chain pressures, and industry practices that contribute to persistently high food prices — particularly in concentrated industries where consumers have little protection from price spikes.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

Georgia Wins the 2026 Junior Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship

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Congratulations, Georgia!

The third annual Virtual Junior Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship was held May 6th and 7th, with seventeen LifeSmarts State Junior Varsity Champion teams from across the country competing.  The LifeSmarts Junior Varsity level involves students who are currently in grades 6 – 8.

Teams of 4 to 5 students competed virtually in East and West Divisions with the top two teams in each division advancing to the semi-finals on Thursday, May 7th.  The winner of each semi-final competition advanced to the final competition match.

The teams from Georgia (Cobb County 4-H Junior Varsity, Georgia 4-H) and Missouri (Red – y to Win, Miller Middle School) were the East division semi-finalists while Nebraska (Cross County JV, Cross County Community Schools) and Colorado (Larimer County 4-H JV) were the West division semi-finalists. In very close semi-final matches, Georgia and Nebraska advanced to the 2026 Junior Varsity National Championship Finals.

In a hard-fought match where the lead went back and forth, Georgia won the Junior Varsity National LifeSmarts Championship title.  The Georgia team members are Navin Natarajan; Ky’Lan Mullins, Joy Patadia, and Tara Manickaraj, and coaches are Colleen Bakhsh and Kathleen McElroy.

The team earns the title of Junior Varsity National LifeSmarts Champion, LifeSmarts Champion medallions, a cash award for the team, and other prizes courtesy of LifeSmarts and LifeSmarts sponsors.

Nebraska took second place, with Missouri and Colorado tying for third place. Also competing in the National Championship were teams from Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

LifeSmarts is the youth consumer education, leadership, and scholarship program run by the Washington, DC-based National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer advocacy organization. It competitively tests junior high / middle school, and high school student’s knowledge of five topic areas including consumer rights & responsibilities, personal finance, health & safety, technology & workforce preparation, and the environment in online and in-person competitions using a quiz bowl-style format. LifeSmarts is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in partnership with student leadership programs including Student Government, 4-H, BPA, FBLA, FCCLA, and SkillsUSA. To learn more about, visit LifeSmarts.

Chocolate Scorecard 2026 Reveals Most Companies Still Failing Children and Cocoa Farmers —but Making Progress on Transparency

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) and its organization, the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), are proud to participate in the Annual Chocolate Scorecard, an initiative coordinated by Be Slavery Free, an Australian coalition campaigning against modern slavery. This campaign aims to raise awareness about child labor in chocolate production, promote ethical sourcing, and empower consumers to choose chocolate that aligns with their values.

The Chocolate Scorecard evaluates 49 leading chocolate companies and retailers representing about 90 percent of the global cocoa supply chain. Now in its seventh year, the Scorecard shows meaningful progress in corporate transparency, especially on child labor reporting and farmer income. Yet most companies still fall short of ensuring that farmers earn a living income or of addressing the root causes of child labor.

“The chocolate industry can no longer hide behind promises or partial progress,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “If companies are serious about ending child labor, they must pay farmers fairly and invest in the communities that sustain their supply chains. Transparency is a start—but accountability is what will drive real change. The CLC calls on companies, policymakers, and consumers to use the Scorecard as a mandate for immediate action: demand concrete steps, clear timelines, and measurable progress in protecting children and ensuring farmer livelihoods throughout the chocolate industry.”

Participation has grown, and nearly all companies with relevant data now disclose their child labor practices. The share of farmers with “unknown” incomes fell sharply from 55 percent last year to 15 percent, greatly improving supply chain visibility.

A few companies, such as HALBA, demonstrate that ethical sourcing at scale is possible—HALBA earned top marks for living income, traceability, and sustainability. Across the industry, 80% of companies do not ensure a living income for farmers; 70% fall short on reducing pesticide risks, and most address symptoms rather than the causes of child labor. The Scorecard also recognizes a handful of companies making meaningful strides, including Original Beans, Coop, The Hershey Company, and Tony’s Chocolonely.

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)  

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org

National Consumers League Urges Travelers to Act Quickly to Recover Funds Following Spirit Airlines Shutdown

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – In the wake of Spirit Airlines abruptly ceasing operations and canceling all flights, the National Consumers League (NCL) is advising affected travelers to take immediate steps to secure refunds and protect their financial interests. 

The sudden shutdown has left millions of passengers with unusable tickets and limited customer service options, while refunds for some purchases may be delayed or uncertain due to bankruptcy proceedings. Travelers who paid with vouchers, points, or cash may face longer recovery timelines, and frequent flyer miles may ultimately lose their value.  

“Not all Spirit customers should assume a refund will automatically appear,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud at the National Consumers League. “When an airline shuts down this suddenly, it’s up to travelers to take proactive steps to have the best chance of getting their money back.” 

What Consumers Should Do Now 

NCL recommends that impacted travelers: 

  • Review your credit or debit card accounts
    According to Spirit, refunds for any flights purchased through Spirit with a credit or debit card will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. Flyers with unused tickets purchased with a credit or debit card should monitor their accounts to ensure the refund is processed expeditiously. 
  • For tickets purchased via travel agents, contact the agent
    If you purchased your ticket through a travel agent (including online travel agents), they are responsible for providing you with a refund.  
  • Contact your credit card issuer
    If your refund is not processed in a timely manner, you should request a chargeback for services not rendered. Federal protections may allow you to dispute the charge.
  • Take advantage of capped and reduced ticket prices for rebooking flights
    The Department of Transportation has announced that United, Delta, JetBlue, and Southwest have agreed to temporarily cap ticket prices for impacted Spirit customers who need to rebook cancelled flights. Customers wishing to take advantage of these offers will need to provide their Spirit flight confirmation number and proof of payment. Some airlines are also offering discounted fares on certain former Spirit routes. Time periods to take advantage of these vary by airline, so passengers should act quickly. Additional details on what each airline is doing to support impacted Spirit customers are available here.
  • Check your travel insurance policy
    Some policies include coverage for airline insolvency or service cessation. Customers should review their policies and contact the insurance provider to file a claim. 
  • File a claim in bankruptcy proceedings if necessary
    Consumers who paid using any other method, including a voucher, credit, or Free Spirit points, may need to submit claims through the airline’s bankruptcy process, which can take significant time and may not result in full reimbursement.
  • Keep all documentation
    Save receipts, booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and any correspondence with the airline.
  • Act quickly
    Chargeback windows and insurance claim deadlines may be time sensitive. 

The shutdown also highlights broader challenges in the airline industry, where rising fuel costs, financial instability, and a lack of competition can leave travelers stranded with little warning. “The failure of Spirit Exhibit A for how difficult it is to break the Big 4 U.S. airlines’ stranglehold on the marketplace,” said Breyault. “As Congress looks to the next FAA reauthorization cycle, how to create real competition in this industry should be at the forefront of legislators’ minds.” 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

Consumer Groups Lead Coalition Urging Congress to Reject Heavier Trucks

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) and the National Consumers League (NCL), joined by 25 organizations, sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to reject any proposal to increase the federal truck size and weight limit to permit vehicles above 80,000 pounds on American roadways. The coalition emphasized that maintaining the current cap is essential to protecting taxpayers, motorists, and the long-term integrity of the nation’s infrastructure.

“Maintaining the existing 80,000-pound GVW limit is a prudent, evidence-based safeguard for both public safety and the long-term integrity of the interstate system,” the letter states. “Raising the cap would accelerate pavement deterioration, shift billions of dollars in additional repair and reconstruction costs onto consumers and taxpayers, and expose motorists and first responders to heightened risk without delivering commensurate public benefits. At a time when federal and state governments are already struggling to maintain aging infrastructure, Congress should avoid compounding these challenges.”

The letter highlights the well-documented connection between heavier trucks and accelerated infrastructure damage. Research shows that a fully loaded 80,000-pound truck can inflict as much damage as thousands of passenger vehicles, and even modest increases in truck weight significantly shorten pavement lifespan. With taxpayers already spending hundreds of billions of dollars annually on transportation, raising weight limits would shift billions of dollars more in repair and reconstruction costs onto federal, state, and local governments.

Beyond infrastructure concerns, the groups stressed that heavier and longer trucks are more difficult to maneuver, require longer stopping distances, and increase crash severity—contributing to a growing traffic safety crisis that already costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE

Cosigners: Taxpayers Protection Alliance; National Consumers League; AAA; Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; American Consumer Institute; American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA); Center for Auto Safety; Center for Transportation Advancement; Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways; Coalition Against Bigger Trucks; Consumer Action for a Strong Economy; Consumer Federation of America; Institute for Policy Innovation; Institute for Safer Trucking; International Brotherhood of Teamsters; National Association of Counties; National Association of County Engineers; NATSO, Representing America’s Travel Centers and Truck Stops; National League of Cities; Parents Against Tired Truckers; Public Citizen; Railway Supply Institute; Road Safe America; SMART Transportation Division; Towing and Recovery Association of America Inc.; Truck Safety Coalition; Truckload Carriers Association

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org. 

NCL Urges Conditions on Any Spirit Bailout

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

 Washington, DC – NCL, the Consumer Federation of America, and the Revolving Door Project are urging the Trump Administration to ensure any potential bailout of Spirit Airlines includes consumer and worker protections as well as prohibitions on stock buybacks and excessive executive compensation. The groups also advocated against industry lobbying to waive certain taxes that fund critical American air traffic infrastructure.  

“This is just the latest chapter in a decades-long story of consolidation, bankruptcy, and market failure in the air travel industry,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “If the government is going to prop up Spirit, it needs to act on behalf of the public, not the C-Suite.” 

Recent news reports have claimed that the Trump Administration is considering providing $500 million in public funds for Spirit. In the federal government’s bailout of airlines during the President Trump’s first term, financial aid was conditioned on worker protections and a prohibition on stock buybacks. Such standards should be the baseline going forward should the government decide to intervene again. The organizations also urged the Department of Transportation to ensure Spirit passengers are taken care of should the airline suddenly be unable to continue operating.  

The full letter to DOT can be found here.   

Additional reading: 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.   

NCL Urges DOT Investigate Airline Pricing 

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Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829 

Washington, DC – In the wake of JetBlue Airways’ apparent admission of surveillance pricing to determine airfares, NCL and six other public interest organizations are urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate the industry’s pricing practices. Airlines have long used confusing pricing algorithms that make the ticket-buying experience frustrating for travelers. Every major airline has made news in the past two years for their dynamic pricing practices, including rollouts of AI-set prices in 2025 and allegations of price gouging targeting travelers escaping Hurricane Milton in 2024.  

“Budgeting for airline tickets shouldn’t be a guessing game,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “There is too much confusion around what consumer data these companies use to set their prices and what we can do about it. It is time for DOT to step up and get to the bottom of this.” 

After a consumer complained that the price of a JetBlue plane ticket to attend a funeral unexpectedly jumped $230, the carrier suggested tips to reduce the amount of data the business collects from its consumers. JetBlue later deleted its response, claiming that a representative misspoke. This was the latest in years of contradictory and unclear statements from airlines regarding what data they do and do not use to set airfares. DOT has authority to investigate airline pricing practices and to intervene to prevent consumer harm.  

In addition to the National Consumers League, the Center for Digital Democracy, Consumer Action, the Consumer Federation of America, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, FlyersRights, and U.S. PIRG joined the letter. The full letter to DOT can be found here.  

Additional reading: 

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About the National Consumers League (NCL)      

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.