Consumer Groups Outline Shutdown’s Impact on Consumer Protection
Targeted News Service |
A coalition of leading consumer groups today sent a letter to Members of
The letter highlights how the shutdown has hindered work across a wide array of issues, including airline and auto safety, food and product safety, financial services and investor protections, as well consumer protection efforts at the
The groups write, "Consumers rely on the government to ensure the safety of the food they eat, the air they breathe, the products they use, the cars they drive, and the planes on which they fly. Consumers also expect that the government will help to protect them from predatory financial schemes, fraud and scams. Many of these consumer protections have been significantly curtailed as a result of the shutdown...We urge a speedy resolution of the shutdown so that the government can resume its critical role on behalf of all consumers."
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Member of
As the government shutdown continues, a coalition of consumer organizations has compiled information about how the shutdown is affecting the safety and wellbeing of millions of American consumers. We are sharing this document with you today.
Consumers rely on the government to ensure the safety of the food they eat, the air they breathe, the products they use, the cars they drive, and the planes on which they fly. Consumers also expect that the government will help to protect them from predatory financial schemes, fraud and scams. Many of these consumer protections have been significantly curtailed as a result of the shutdown.
Airline Safety
At the
Food Safety
During the shutdown, the
Most
Environment
The
Financial Services/Investor Protections
The Federal Reserve, the
In addition, education loan borrowers who have a dispute with their loan servicer (or debt collector) will have a hard time resolving the dispute because the
Product Safety
Four percent of the
Two terrible examples bring home the impact of the shutdown on the CPSC's ability to do its critical safety work. Last Monday, a two year old girl in
The
Less than 20% of
The FTC's website is not functional--on the FTC's home page, it states, "Unfortunately, the
The mortgage market is operated primarily by nongovernmental entities in the private sector, but the shutdown is having an impact in this area. Mortgage loans may be delayed because the
In the affordable rental housing field, the
Drug Safety and Medical Devices
The
Energy
Health/
The health insurance exchanges are open, and implementation of the American Affordable Care Act proceeds.
Telecommunications
According to the
We urge a speedy resolution of the shutdown so that the government can resume its critical role on behalf of all consumers.
Feel free to contact
Sincerely,
Consumer Action
Public Citizen
US PIRG
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