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119-hr-10701119th CongressWALLET

FTC Autonomy Act

Sponsored By: Representative Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

Introduced

Summary

Grants the Federal Trade Commission independent authority to sue for civil penalties. This bill would let the FTC initiate civil litigation on its own to recover civil penalties under any statute the agency enforces.

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  • Federal Trade Commission: Enables the Commission to bring civil actions directly to obtain penalties across the full range of laws it enforces. This removes prior limiting language that narrowed its penalty-collection authority.
  • Businesses and regulated entities: Could face more civil-penalty lawsuits initiated by the FTC, increasing legal exposure where penalties are authorized.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal Trade Commission can seek penalties

If enacted, the Federal Trade Commission would be able to bring civil lawsuits on its own to seek civil penalties allowed under any law the FTC enforces. The bill would also change related wording so the Commission can initiate penalty collection. This would expand the FTC's enforcement tools. Households would not get direct payments from this change; any consumer benefits would come if the FTC uses the new authority to stop unfair business practices.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14]

    FL • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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