Federal Trade Commission authority boost?

H.R. 2668 – The Consumer Protection and Recovery Act – has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to provide the FTC with explicit authority to require bad actors to return money earned through illegal activity and to seek both injunctive and monetary relief for consumers in Federal courts (reversing a recent decision by the Supreme Court which limited its Section 13(b) authority).

The White House issued a press release saying: “The Administration supports House passage of H.R. 2668, the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act. … The Administration applauds this step to expressly authorize the FTC to seek permanent injunctions and pursue equitable relief for all violations of law enforced by the Commission and ensure that the cost of illegal practices falls on bad actors, not consumers targeted by illegal scams.”