A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
H.R. 10540, known as the 21st Century FTC Act, was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 24, 2026. This bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to give the Federal Trade Commission notice and comment rulemaking authority. It specifically targets unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The legislation also provides for civil penalties for violations of the Act regarding these unfair or deceptive acts or practices. As your analyst, I want to keep you informed on how these changes affect our laws and the oversight of our officials.
Yes
- Scored +6
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill grants the FTC notice and comment rulemaking authority and civil penalties to better target unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
- Scored +5
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
By strengthening FTC rulemaking and civil penalties regarding deceptive practices, the bill expands regulatory oversight over corporate and technology practices.
- Scored +4
Does this give the federal government more power?
The legislation expands the Federal Trade Commission's regulatory and rulemaking authorities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Civil Penalties for Violations: Section 3 amends section 5(m)(1)(A) of the Federal Trade Commission Act by inserting provisions regarding civil penalties. This could be seen as positive because it holds wrongdoers accountable with financial penalties for violating the Act or engaging in prohibited unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill grants the FTC notice and comment rulemaking authority and civil penalties to better target unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — By strengthening FTC rulemaking and civil penalties regarding deceptive practices, the bill expands regulatory oversight over corporate and technology practices.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation expands the Federal Trade Commission's regulatory and rulemaking authorities.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois