SCOTUS Decision Delivers FCC Victory for Consumers, Says National Consumers League

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

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court decided 8-1 in FCC v. AT&T that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can continue assessing fines under the agency’s founding statute. Wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon attempted to escape liability for tens of millions of dollars related to consumer privacy violations by suing to disarm the FCC, rather than defending their business practices. NCL, two former chairs of the FCC, and five other public interest organizations filed an amicus brief at the Supreme Court to defend the agency earlier this year. 

“As our personal data has become more insecure than ever, it is critical that we have strong regulators who are equipped to protect us from privacy violations,” said NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “Congress made clear that the FCC’s job is to make sure that consumers’ sensitive communications data is protected. The FCC, across bipartisan administrations, has faithfully applied these mandates. This ruling affirms that federal agencies should indeed be using their resources to protect the American public. Companies should not be able to escape accountability after harming consumers by concocting radical legal theories—and luckily today, they were unsuccessful.” 

Democracy Forward Foundation provided pro bono counsel services for NCL in this proceeding. The full list of signatories to the March 2026 amicus brief are the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, Consumer Reports, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, the National Consumer Law Center, the National Consumers League, Public Knowledge, former FCC Chair Reed Hundt, and former FCC Chair Tom Wheeler.    

Further 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.   

CLARITY Act fails to protect consumers from fraud, conflicts of interest, and financial instability, say public-interest groups 

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) today along with a coalition of public-interest organizations, today sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to oppose the Senate version of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) as it fails to provide adequate consumer protections, combat financial crime, or address serious ethics concerns. 

“Consumers have already lost billions of dollars to cryptocurrency scams, hacks, fraud schemes, and market failures,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, National Consumers League. “Congress should not reward the crypto industry’s lobbying campaign by passing legislation that leaves consumers exposed while giving the industry the legitimacy it has spent years trying to buy. Any crypto market structure bill must put consumer protection first—not treat it as an afterthought.” 

The legislation, recently approved by the Senate Banking Committee, is being promoted as a framework to bring clarity to cryptocurrency markets. However, consumer advocates warn that the bill leaves dangerous gaps that could expose consumers to fraud, facilitate illicit finance, and permit public officials, including the Trump family, to profit from the very industry they are charged with regulating. 

The coalition’s letter identifies three major concerns with the legislation: 

  • Weak anti-money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act requirements that fail to hold key cryptocurrency intermediaries accountable; 
  • A failure to address conflicts of interest involving public officials and their families who stand to profit from cryptocurrency ventures while influencing federal policy; 
  • Loopholes that could allow stablecoin issuers and crypto platforms to offer yield-like rewards that siphon deposits from community banks and reduce local lending. 

The Senate bill arrives amid increasing scrutiny of the cryptocurrency industry’s influence in Washington and growing concerns about whether current proposals adequately protect consumers and the broader financial system. Recent negotiations over anti-money laundering requirements, ethics provisions, and stablecoin rewards underscore the unresolved issues that remain before the legislation reaches the Senate floor. 

“Americans deserve financial innovation that is safe, transparent, and accountable,” Breyault added. “Instead, the CLARITY Act asks consumers to trust an industry that continues to generate enormous losses from scams and fraud while failing to close critical loopholes involving illicit finance and political corruption. Congress should not give this industry a congressional seal of approval until those problems are addressed.” 

The coalition includes the National Consumers League, American Economic Liberties Project, Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Federation of California, Demand Progress Action, Indivisble, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), and Public Citizen. 

The full letter is available here.

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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.   

Stronger Consumer Protections in Structured Settlements Urges National Consumers League

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

Washington, DC – Following a recent segment on HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver examining the structured settlement factoring industry, National Consumers League (NCL) CEO Sally Greenberg joined the National Structured Settlements Trade Association (NSSTA) for a discussion on protecting consumers from predatory financial practices. 

The conversation highlighted Maryland’s successful reform model, which reduced structured settlement factoring transactions by more than 99 percent after the state strengthened judicial oversight and consumer protections. 

“If you put the proper restrictions and protections in place, people with a structured settlement—who often do not understand these financial transactions—will not give away all their future payments for pennies. That is what Maryland accomplished, and it can be done in every state,” said Greenberg. 

NCL has worked alongside NSSTA for more than a decade to advance safeguards that help ensure structured settlement recipients are protected from abusive factoring practices. 

“Structured settlements are designed to protect people through the most difficult chapter of their lives. The guardrails we are calling for do not change that arrangement. They make sure that if a recipient is approached to sell those payments, the court that hears the petition is the one closest to the recipient, the judge has the information needed to ask the right questions, and the recipient has the time and the independent advice to make a real decision,” said Eric Vaughn, NSSTA Executive Director. 

The organizations continue to advocate for reforms that provide stronger court oversight, limit aggressive solicitation, and protect vulnerable consumers’ financial futures. 

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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.   

Congress: Don’t Put Affordability in the Rear View, says National Consumers League

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

Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) submitted a letter for the record in advance of the House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on “Rules of the Road: Examining Legislation to Modernize the Clean Air Act’s Mobile Source Requirements.”  As families across the country reel from the ongoing affordability crisis, NCL encourages lawmakers to consider the substantial effect fuel economy features have on alleviating household budgetary pressure, as detailed in the report titled Sticker Shock. 

“The American people do not have to choose among vehicle affordability and safety, energy independence, public health, and environmental stewardship,” the letter states. “Compliance with federal fuel economy and safety standards accounts for a small fraction of vehicle expenditures, but it generates thousands of dollars in benefits per household and trillions of dollars in societal benefits.” 

The letter notes that all equipment upgrades—which include changes in fuel economy, comfort, convenience, durability, nonmandatory safety improvements, and safety standards that first require compliance after 2019—account for only $3,040.20, or 13 percent, of the increase in average expenditures per new passenger vehicle since 2002.  Yet fuel-economy improvements save owners of model year 2024 cars $9,099.75 and owners of model year 2024 light trucks $9,920.23 in avoided gasoline expenditures over the lifetime of the vehicle. 

A copy of the letter can be found here. 

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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.   

139 Stakeholders Urge Congress to Protect the Consumer Product Safety Commission

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

Washington, DC– Today, the National Consumers League, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, and 136 other stakeholders and groups sent a letter to congressional leaders calling on Congress to preserve an independent, bipartisan Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and ensure the agency has the appropriate tools, resources, and personnel to carry out its lifesaving mission.

“We strongly oppose any attempt to dramatically restructure the CPSC, reduce the agency’s workforce, and decrease funding for consumer product safety,” the letter states.

The FY 2027 Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) budget and FY 2027 CPSC budget recommend that CPSC’s functions be transferred to HHS. The CPSC budget also requests $135 million in funding (a 10 percent funding cut compared to FY 2025 levels) and 459 employees (a 14 percent reduction of staff compared to FY 2025 levels).

“Congress deliberately established an independent, bipartisan agency with exclusive authority over the safety of consumer products,” the letter continues. “Such independence ensures that product safety issues are treated like the public safety imperative they so clearly are.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE.

Letter cosigners (139):

National Consumers League
Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Reports
Access Ready Inc.
Action on Smoking and Health
Activate St Pete
Adventure Cycling Association
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
Aging Life Care Association
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics California Chapter 1
American Academy of Pediatrics, DC Chapter
American Academy of Pediatrics, New York Chapter 2
American Academy of Pediatrics, New York Chapter 3
American Pediatric Surgical Association
Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
ASH
Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN)
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
Bike East Bay
Bike JC
Bike Los Altos
Bike Oven
Bike Pittsburgh
Bike Walk Knoxville
Bike Walk Tennessee
BikeDFW
BikeLA
Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners
Brookhaven Bike Alliance
Brynne Clippard
California Bicycle Coalition
Center for Auto Safety
Center for Digital Democracy
Center for Justice & Democracy
Center for Pet Safety
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Central New Hampshire Bicycle Coalition
Champaign County Bikes
Citizens Action Coalition of IN
Claire Bear Foundation
Complete George
Connect Pinellas, Inc.
Consumer Action
Consumer Federation of California
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety
Cribs for Kids
American Academy of Pediatrics, Delaware Chapter
Detroit Greenways Coalition
Earth Ethics, Inc.
East Coast Greenway Alliance
EZ Ride
Families for Safe Streets
First Candle
American Academy of Pediatrics, Florida Chapter
Friends of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail
Friends of the Salem Rail Trail
Georgia Advancing Communities Together, Inc.
Government Information Watch
GreenLatinos
Healthy Babies Bright Futures
Homestretch Nonprofit Housing Corp
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates
American Academy of Pediatrics, Idaho Chapter
American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Chapter
Indoor Environments Association
Isles, Inc.
Just Strategy
Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Keeping Babies Safe
American Academy of Pediatrics, Kentucky Chapter
Kids and Car Safety
League of American Bicyclists
League of Michigan Bicyclists
Live Well Grand Cities
Living Streets Alliance
Local Motion, Inc.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Maine Chapter
Marin County Bicycle Coalition
MarketEdge Consulting
Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation
Missourians for Responsible Transportation
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Napa County Bicycle Coalition
National Bicycle Dealers Association
National Center for Health Research
National Center for Healthy Housing
National Coalition for Safer Roads
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
NC Pediatric Society
New Haven Coalition for Active Transportation – NCAT
NH Rail Trails Coalition
American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter
Oregon Consumer Justice
Oregon Consumer League
Parents Against Vaping
Parents for Window Blind Safety
People Power United
Plano Bicycle Association
Product Injury Coalition
Reconnect Rochester
Reese’s Purpose
Responsible Sourcing Network
Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition
Ride Illinois
Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Routes Partnership
Safety Research & Strategies
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
Santa Monica Safe Streets Alliance
Santa Monica Spoke
South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center
StopDistractions.org
Tempe Bicycle Action Group
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine
The Wisconsin Bike Federation
Trailnet
Treasure Valley Safe Routes to School
Truck Safety Coalition
U.S. Public Interest Research Group
Unleaded Kids
US Swim School Association
Velo Cruces, Inc.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Virginia Chapter
Virginia Citizens Consumer Council
Vision Zero Maine
Walk ‘n Rollers
Washington Area Bicyclist Association
West Virginia Citizen Action Group
Yakima Bikes and Walks!
ZeroW.org
Dr. Joanne Baerg, Pediatric Surgeon
Jeanne Briskin, Product Safety Advocate
Jeffrey D. Weidenhamer, Ph.D.
Joleen Evans, Produce Safety Advocate
Mayra Romero-Ferman, Juvenile Product Safety Advocate
Michael Haggard, Product Safety Advocate
Nancy Cowles, Children’s Product Safety Advocate
Tomorrow Bowen, Product Safety Advocate

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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.   

Pharmacy Students Nationwide Recognized in NCL’s 2026 Script Your Future Team Challenge

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Script Your Future Team Challenge, an annual competition that engages pharmacy students in raising awareness about the importance of medication adherence.   

“The creativity, leadership, and commitment to community health demonstrated by these students is truly inspiring,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “This year’s Script Your Future participants tackled some of the most urgent barriers to medication adherence through innovative outreach, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful engagement with underserved communities.” 

National Award Winner – Ohio Northern University Raabe College of Pharmacy
Ohio Northern University returned to the challenge this year with a focus on closing human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination gaps in its community. By cross-referencing pharmacy dispensing software and their state immunization registry vaccination, the team identified nearly 400 patients ages 9 – 26 due for one or more HPV vaccine doses. The team conducted direct outreach to educate patients, answer questions, and encourage vaccination, while also hosting on-campus awareness events and vaccine drives. Through these efforts, the team counseled more than 450 patients and students, hosted one vaccination event, and planned a second. At its vaccine drive alone, the team administered 16 HPV vaccines — matching the total administered for this age group in the area for all of 2025. 

Media/Communications Award – Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy
The team launched its “Stick to the Script” campaign, using Broadway-inspired visuals and messaging to promote medication adherence. They partnered with on- and off-campus organizations to provide materials in both English and Spanish. Through in-person events, social media outreach, and university media coverage, the campaign reached more than 600 patients, generated nearly 20,000 social media impressions, and was featured four times in the university’s “News@Wilkes Student Spotlight” series. This marks the second consecutive year Wilkes has received the Media/Communications Award.  

Technology Innovation Award – Western University of Health Sciences School of Pharmacy
Western University of Health Sciences focused its campaign on medication adherence among patients with chronic conditions. The team developed a mobile-friendly resource website and used trending social media content across Instagram and TikTok to drive engagement, generating more than 15,000 views. The team also produced and published four professionally developed podcast episodes, each highlighting a different chronic condition and the role of medication adherence in treatment and disease management. Their innovative use of digital media and technology earned Western University the Technology Innovation Award.  

Inter-Professional Award – Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy
LECOM integrated inter-professional collaboration into its Script Your Future campaign, involving students and ambassadors from the Colleges of Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, and Dental Medicine. Through wellness screenings, outreach, and vaccination events at independent living, skilled nursing, and other community facilities, LECOM reinforced longstanding community partnerships while emphasizing medication adherence and expanding access to care. This year, LECOM also partnered with the Erie Art Museum to connect healthcare providers and community members to emphasize the role of medication adherence in overall health. By bringing together healthcare professionals across disciplines, LECOM advanced innovative approaches to patient education and wellness, earning the Inter-Professional Award for the second consecutive year.  

Under-Represented Community Outreach Award – Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy earned the Under-Represented Community Outreach Award for its work with diverse communities across Philadelphia. Partnering with the Institute of Clinical Bioethics through SJU’s “Health Promoter” programs, the team reached African, Asian, Hispanic, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities with medication adherence education and support. The team distributed pill organizers and drug disposal kits, answered patient medication questions, and educated more than 1,000 patients during the challenge period, including 200 reached through Health Promoter events. 

This year’s Challenge saw participation from 11 colleges and schools of pharmacy across eight states, reaching approximately 70,000 individuals through in-person events and dynamic media and social media outreach. Teams also partnered with on-campus organizations, community facilities and groups, and participated in advocacy efforts before their state legislatures.    

The Script Your Future Team Challenge is coordinated by NCL and supported by partners and sponsors, including Avadel, Johnson & Johnson, and the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. 

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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.   

NEW POLL: Massive Public Support for Ticketing Reforms as the National Consumers League Demands Full Senate Vote on the Ticket ACT

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Consumer Advocates Urge Senate Leadership to Bring S. 281 to the Floor, Aligning with the 87% of Voters Demanding Strict Protections Against Fraud, Junk Fees, and Speculative Ticketing

Washington DC – With comprehensive new public opinion survey data showing near-unanimous American consensus in favor of live event ticketing reform, the National Consumers League (NCL) today called on Senate leadership to immediately schedule a floor vote on S. 281, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (the TICKET Act).

The new research, conducted by Breakwater Strategy on behalf of Music Artists Coalition, reveals a deeply frustrated public: 84% of consumers agree that the ticketing industry needs common-sense reforms to protect fans, while only 42% believe the market currently operates fairly. Crucially, 87% of registered voters nationally support legislation explicitly designed to mandate transparency and fairness in the ticketing marketplace.

“Fans are at the mercy of a rigged industry, dominated by the illegal Live Nation monopoly, that is awash with predatory practices like hidden fees, ticket bots, speculative tickets, and deceptive reseller conduct,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “The data could not be clearer: Americans are sick of being gouged. The TICKET Act (H.R. 1402/S. 281) passed the full House of Representatives and was approved by the Senate Commerce Committee, both on overwhelming and bipartisan votes. It is ready for action. We urge the full Senate to bring this bill to the floor for a vote immediately and deliver the protections that fans have been waiting for.”

“While nearly every industry player has their hands in the cookie jar at the expense of fans, NCL stands firmly and uniquely on the side of the consumer,” said NCL Chief Executive Officer Sally Greenberg. “The TICKET Act may not be a perfect solution, but in our judgment, it represents the absolute best way to deliver meaningful protections in a deeply compromised marketplace.”

The TICKET Act Delivers What the Public Demands
The new polling data shows staggering public support for the primary provisions contained within the TICKET Act, including:

Mandatory All-In Pricing: The TICKET Act outlaws hidden “junk fees” by requiring ticket sellers to clearly and conspicuously display the total event ticket price upfront, including all mandatory service, processing, and delivery fees.

The Polling Data: 82% of voters nationally support an industry-wide mandate for all-in pricing. Upfront price transparency was ranked as a top legislative priority, with 95% of voters declaring it important to fixing the industry.

A Ban on Speculative Ticketing: The TICKET Act bans “speculative ticketing”—the deceptive practice where predatory brokers list and sell tickets they do not actually possess, driving up artificial demand and creating consumer confusion.

The Polling Data: 82% of consumers support a ban on speculative ticket sales, and 84% agree that brokers should be legally barred from selling tickets they don’t own.

Stronger Anti-Bot Protections: The TICKET Act takes aim at illegal ticket-buying software (“bots”) by requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to submit a comprehensive report on the enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, establishing clear metrics to crack down on bot operators.

The Polling Data: Deployed bots remain a massive source of public anger. 94% of voters say preventing automated bots from bulk-buying tickets is a critical priority, and 82% specifically support giving the FTC resources to catch and financially penalize repeat bot offenders.

Voters Reward TICKET Act Champions

The survey emphasizes that legislators who champion solutions included in the TICKET Act stand to win significant favor with their constituents. The data shows that:

  • 70% of voters are more likely to support an elected official who champions all-in pricing;
  • 68% would be more likely to support an elected official who supports a speculative ticket bans; and
  • 68% would favor an official who supports expansion and enforcement of the BOTS Act.

Call to Action: Time for a Senate Vote

The TICKET Act represents a bipartisan consensus that addresses the structural rot in the live event marketplace. Consumer advocacy groups and musical artists rank as the most trusted stakeholders to lead this fight, while the public’s trust in Congress’s willingness to act remains critically low.

“The Senate has a historic opportunity to restore honesty to live entertainment and prove to the American people that it can act on overwhelming, bipartisan public demand,” added Breyault “There is no reason to delay. Real ticket market reform is within reach. Senate leadership should bring S. 281 to a vote on the full Senate floor immediately.”

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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.   

Barney Frank, a Fearless Champion for Consumers and Economic Fairness, Says National Consumers League

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Washington DC – The National Consumers League mourns the passing of former Congressman Barney Frank, a fearless public servant whose decades in Congress helped strengthen protections for working families and consumers across America.

As chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and co-author of the landmark Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Congressman Frank played a pivotal role in advancing accountability in the financial system following the 2008 economic crisis. His leadership helped pave the way for the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, giving consumers a stronger voice and greater protection from abusive financial practices.

“Barney Frank understood that markets work best when consumers are treated fairly and honestly,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “He was a brilliant legislator, a tireless advocate for ordinary Americans, and a champion for accountability on Wall Street. Millions of consumers are safer today because of his determination and public service.”

Congressman Frank leaves behind a lasting legacy of consumer protection, economic fairness, and principled leadership.

For Sally Greenberg’s personal recollections of Congressman Barney Frank, please visit her blog: Remembering Barney Frank, a Giant for Consumers and Equality

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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.   

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 DC – 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.