NCL hails bipartisan committee vote on TICKET act

/in , , , /by

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communication’s, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League today applauded the House Energy and Commerce committee for its overwhelming and bipartisan vote to approve the TICKET Act (H.R. 1402). The TICKET Act would, for the first time in history, ensure accountability and fairness in live event ticketing across the United States. The bill, which passed the U.S. House last Congress 388-24, was recently reported unanimously out of the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill has previously received support from nearly every stakeholder in the live event ecosystem, including consumer organizations, free-market advocates, venues, artists, primary and secondary ticketing platforms, and more than 37,000 individual fans.

“The TICKET Act is the result of a hard-negotiated, bipartisan compromise that reflects the reality that the modern live event ticket-buying experience is an exercise in frustration for millions of consumers,” said John Breyault, National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications & Fraud. “This bill is the solution that millions of fans have been seeking to finally get rid of hidden junk fees, crack down on predatory ticket resale practices, and guarantee refunds in the event of event postponements and cancellations. We thank Representatives Guthrie, Pallone, Bilirakis, and Schakowsky for their continued support for the TICKET Act and we urge the full House to once again swiftly pass this common sense, bipartisan, consumer protection bill.”

Key provisions of the TICKET Act include:

  • Banning hidden junk fees through all-in pricing requirements;
  • Prohibiting speculative ticketing and other deceptive resale practices;
  • Requiring refunds for canceled and postponed events; and
  • Commissioning an FTC study on enforcement of the BOTS Act.

The TICKET Act’s provisions are strongly supportive of President Trump’s March 31 Executive Order on “Combating Unfair Practices in the Live Entertainment Industry.” Specifically, the bill addresses the Order’s directive to “protect fans from exploitative ticket scalper practices,” “[e]nsure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market,” and “bring commonsense reforms to America’s live entertainment ticketing industry.”

###
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 applauds West Virginia lawmakers for food dye/additives ban bill 

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) applauds West Virginia lawmakers for the passage of House Bill 2354. This bipartisan legislation amends the State Code regarding adulterated food and drugs, banning harmful food additives and dyes in processed food products sold in the state. Among the banned substances are Red Dye No. 3, Yellow Dye No. 5, Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), Propylparaben, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, and Green Dye No. 3 – all deemed unsafe for consumption.

The bill passed the House on February 28 with a 93-5 vote and was introduced to the Senate. Last week, the Senate amended the bill, and now it must return to the House for a vote to concur with the changes. If the House passes the amended legislation it will go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law. If enacted, the legislation would ban food products containing the colors in school nutrition programs beginning on Aug. 1, 2025, and then extend to all food sold statewide on Jan. 1, 2028.

“West Virginia is leading the way in protecting public health by banning dangerous dyes and additives from its food supply,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. “It’s well known that these synthetic dyes and additives pose serious health risks, and the Mountain State is showing others how to take bold action to safeguard their residents.”

In December, NCL also urged the FDA to issue a federal ban on Red No. 3, a petroleum-based colorant known to cause cancer in laboratory animals. The FDA issued the order to revoke authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 on January 15, 2025. Manufacturers who use the dye in food and drugs will have until January 15, 2027 (food and supplements) or January 18, 2028 (ingested medications), to reformulate their products.

###

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 legislation to protect fraud victims from tax penalties 

/in , /by
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is appreciative of Representative Haley Stevens’s (D-MI) proposed legislation designed to protect fraud victims from being unfairly taxed when they are forced to tap into their 401(k)s early due to fraudulent schemes. Fraud prevention and consumer protection are central to NCL’s mission, and we strongly support this critical step in ensuring that fraud victims are not penalized further.
“Fraud victims are harmed enough when criminals steal their life savings,” said John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “The last thing victims should worry about after being scammed is a bill from the IRS. NCL is thankful for Representative Stevens’ efforts to reduce the burdens fraud victims face after a crime has occurred.”
###
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 mourns the passing of Rep. Raúl Grijalva

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) mourns the passing of Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died on March 13 from complications of cancer. Grijalva, 77, a 12-term legislator in the U. S. House of Representatives, represented Arizona as a Democrat. He was born in Tucson in 1948. 

NCL celebrates his long congressional career and his championing of child labor protections, including two vitally needed child labor bills that NCL and the Child Labor Coalition (CLC)—which NCL founded and chairs—helped draft and nurture for several congressional sessions. 

“Grijalva’s father came to the U.S. in the bracero-guest-worker program,” noted Reid Maki, NCL’s Director of Child Labor Advocacy. “Raúl never forgot his farmworker roots, and we could always count on his staunch support for legislation to protect vulnerable child farmworkers in the U.S. from the dangers of exploitative child labor.” 

Grijalva was a co-sponsor of the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety, legislation to raise the minimum age for working on farms from the current 12 to 14. The bill would also raise the minimum age of hazardous work on farms from 16 to 18—all other sectors require workers to be 18 to conduct work identified as hazardous. Grijalva also co–sponsored the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act, legislation to ban teens from hazardous child labor in U.S. tobacco fields, where teen workers become ill from nicotine exposure. 

“Rep. Grijalva worked diligently to protect immigrant rights, unions, tribal rights, and environmental protections,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “He was an impassioned voice for the underrepresented. His passing saddens us.”

Grijalva served on the House Education and Labor Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. He was a long-standing member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. 

 

###  

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 sounds alarm over measles outbreak, calls for stronger immunization leadership

/in , /by
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC — As of this week, there are a total of 223 cases of measles in western Texas, and it is spreading to neighboring counties in New Mexico and Oklahoma. Yet, recently confirmed Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy is not actively pushing for Americans to get immunized. The National Consumers League (NCL) stands firmly on the side of science and evidence-based medicine.  In February, we expressed concern over his appointment, and now we are witnessing the significant risk to Americans’ health and well-being we previously stated.
“This spread of an extremely contagious virus should be a wakeup call to the American people and a stark reminder of the importance of immunization,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “Decades ago, we saw a similar situation turn, polio, turn into an epidemic causing major disabilities and death to millions of Americans. We cannot go back. As a nation, our leaders and lawmakers should lead with facts, scientific data, and a commitment to public well-being.”
###
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 opposes effort to shutter ED and defund education 

/in , /by

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

Last night, the Trump Administration began firing almost half of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) staff and kicked employees out of the DC office. President Trump and Education Secretary McMahon have made clear that this is only the beginning of their efforts to shut down ED entirely. With these most recent firings, ED is down to approximately 2,000 employees to handle a massive portfolio that includes administering billions of dollars in funding for rural and low-income public schools across the nation.

“The Education Department plays a critical role in our public education system despite being the smallest of the cabinet agencies,” said Eden Iscil, NCL Senior Public Policy Manager. “Weakening—or eliminating—the Department serves no purpose other than to defund our schools, allow for greater discrimination in education, and eliminate oversight of the private companies we pay to manage trillions of dollars in student loans. Leaders in Congress and the states must stand up and support the agency.”

With its already strained resources, ED enforces civil rights law, distributes billions of dollars to rural and low-income schools, and oversees trillions of dollars in aid and loans for higher education. The agency’s funding makes up less than 3% of the federal budget.

ED’s resources disproportionately go to states that largely voted for Republicans over Democrats in the last election. Mississippi, South Dakota, and Arkansas have some of the highest dependency on federal funding for their public schools, while states like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut rely the least on ED.

###

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. 

Trump administration shortens ACA enrollment, threatening healthcare for millions of consumers

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – Millions of Americans would be affected by the Trump administration’s attempts to shorten the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period and eliminate the monthly enrollment option for low-income families.   

By shortening the open enrollment window from 12 weeks to just 30 days, the proposal issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would inevitably result in eligible individuals failing to enroll in coverage. The drastic reduction in time creates unnecessary barriers to enrollment for consumers, particularly those who need time to research their options, gather necessary documentation, contact brokers, or navigate the enrollment process. This is a direct attack on consumers’ access to healthcare, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including low-income families, the elderly, and those with limited internet access or health literacy.  

In Trump’s first term, the administration cut outreach and public education funding and allowed short-term plans that offer subpar coverage, leading to a significant drop in ACA enrollment. This latest attempt will create further confusion and chaos for consumers seeking affordable healthcare options.     

Additionally, the CMS proposal to deny ACA coverage to immigrant “Dreamers”—young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children—raises further concerns. These individuals are hardworking, tax-paying contributors to the U.S. economy and should not be excluded from accessing healthcare plans. CMS also proposed limiting coverage for gender-affirming care starting in 2026.    

“This is a cruel and calculated attempt to roll back the ACA, undermine consumers, and restrict access to healthcare for millions,” said Sally Greenberg, NCL CEO. “By shortening the enrollment period, the administration is making it harder for hardworking Americans to find the coverage they need. Denying Dreamers access to health care is unjust, shortsighted, and could put in danger the broader community. We are disappointed by this proposal as Mr. Trump has pledged not to harm Dreamers.”   

In December of 2024 President Trump discussed Dreamers during a “Meet the Press” interview: “We have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age,’ If Dreamers have the right to stay in this country, as Mr. Trump says they should, it is essential they have the same health care options available as all other Americans.

###      

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 lawmakers to protect oversight of payment apps  

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is calling on lawmakers to vote in favor of maintaining the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) larger participants rule, which establishes much-needed oversight of companies that offer services like digital wallets and payment apps—such as Zelle and Apple Pay—and ensures they are properly regulated. The rule protects consumers, making sure that all forms of payment, whether provided by traditional banks or nonbank companies, are secure and trustworthy.   

“Fraud continues to be a major financial burden on consumers, stealing an estimated $158 billion annually from American families,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “Unfortunately, Congress is considering weakening protections for digital wallets and payment apps—platforms that are often used to perpetrate fraud. While the current Administration talks about reducing fraud, its actions are instead shifting the financial burden onto hard-working Americans.”   

As more Americans use digital payment apps and wallets, complaints about fraud and unauthorized charges have skyrocketed. The CFPB’s rule will help strengthen consumer protections and ensure that these financial products adhere to privacy laws, ultimately safeguarding the public from emerging threats in the digital payment space.   

###  

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 statement on Steven Bradbury committee vote

/in , /by

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

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Senate Commerce committee approved Steven Bradbury for Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, sending his nomination to the Senate floor. The National Consumers League (NCL) is urging Bradbury to commit to using the position to support critical safety and consumer protection initiatives at DOT.     

To date, President Trump’s DOT appointees have refused to commit to basic consumer protections, like allowing families to be seated together while flying or following federal law and updating decades-outdated airplane evacuation standards. Senators should not vote to confirm Bradbury as Deputy Secretary until he pledges to protect the numerous consumer protection advancements made in the past few years.  

The following statement is attributable to John Breyault, NCL Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud:  

“Steven Bradbury is seeking to rejoin DOT at a time of deep concern among the traveling public. Multiple crashes and close calls are making airline passengers fearful for their safety at a time when DOGE is cutting FAA safety staff. Automobile fatalities and injuries remain at unacceptably high levels, yet many vital safety technologies are not mandated equipment, and the nation still lacks a framework for the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles. Consumers will not regain confidence in our travel infrastructure if Mr. Bradbury uses his new position to implement the Project 2025 plan to roll back important advancements that the Biden Administration achieved in EV charging, fuel economy standards, family seating, data privacy, and airline consumer protection. NCL will defend these critical safeguards with all the tools at our disposal.” 

###  

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 joins American Vehicle Owners Alliance as founding member 

/in , /by

New Coalition Will Champion Vehicle Owners’ Data Rights 

Washington, DC – Today, The National Consumers League (NCL) proudly joins the American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA) as a founding member. This new coalition brings together eight members who will work together to ensure that vehicle owners—not just manufacturers—have full access and control over the data generated by their vehicles. AVOA will advocate for policies protecting consumers’ property rights, fostering competition, and preventing unnecessary and burdensome restrictions on owner’s access to vehicle-generated data. 

“We are excited to be a founding member of the American Vehicle Owners Alliance,” said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg.  “Together, we are committed to ensuring that vehicle owners retain full access and control over their data, protecting their property rights and fostering fair competition in the marketplace.” 

“When you purchase a vehicle—whether as an individual or a business—you own it, just as you would any other property. The same should be true of your vehicle’s data,” said Richard Ward, Executive Director of AVOA. “Manufacturers should not have the power to lock owners out of that data or charge them extra fees to access what is rightfully theirs.”  

AVOA will work with Congress and the Trump administration to ensure vehicle owners own and manage their vehicles’ data. This ownership model increases cybersecurity, upholds privacy, protects consumers, reinforces our fundamental understanding of property rights, and makes vehicles and drivers safer. 

###    

About the American Vehicle Owners Alliance (AVOA)  

The American Vehicle Owners Alliance is a coalition committed to protecting vehicle owners’ rights to access and control all the data generated by their vehicles – data that rightfully belongs to the vehicle owner, not the manufacturer. americanvehicleownersalliance.org 

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.