Protecting Consumers Must be Priority for Congress

Lawmakers should seize end-of-the-year opportunity

By [ Michael Hanson ]
Washington, DC
11/14/2022

The U.S. House of Representatives today will hold a suspension vote on the INFORM Consumers Act, bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from counterfeit and stolen goods being sold online. Retailers are urging Congress to get this crucial legislation over the finish line before year’s end.

“Retailers continue to be harmed by organized retail crime at record levels. These are not petty thefts, and they are not victimless crimes; they hurt retail employees, customers, families and their communities,” said RILA Senior Executive Vice President, Public Affairs Michael Hanson.

“We applaud and thank Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) for their tireless fight to get the INFORM Consumers Act enacted into law. Today’s suspension vote will reaffirm support and cement the need for Congress to take quick and decisive action to enact this vital piece of legislation this year. The INFORM Consumers Act is supported by retailers, marketplaces, consumer groups, manufacturers, law enforcement and community groups.

“We appreciate all the support for INFORM and it is our hope this critical legislation will be enacted by the end of the year. Headlines from around the country, in cities large and small, illustrate the rapid growth of this problem, its impact on communities, and the urgency with which this legislation must become law. The failure to enact this vital piece of legislation would be a travesty for American consumers and all of those in the fight against organized retail crime.”

###