A Lobbying Victory for Retailers

While much of the country is focused on the impact on the financial industry of the financial overhaul bill that was passed early this morning, Shop.org was focused on a little known but important part of the bill that would give the FTC significant new powers that could be used to increase federal regulation in areas such as privacy and marketing.

The FTC succeeded in having these new powers included in a House version of the financial overhaul bill. And, in a cliffhanger Conference Committee that lasted until 5:00 am this morning, Chairman Waxman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee attempted three times to force the Senate to accept the expanded FTC authorities that Shop.org has consistently opposed.  Thankfully, all of our lobbying efforts paid off and the Senate Democrats held firm in opposition to the measure.  Therefore, the FTC will not be getting the powers that they asked for.  Both the House and Senate are set to pass the finalized bill next week.

What became abundantly clear last night is that APA rulemaking authority is at the top of the FTC’s wish list and they still have the support of Chairman Waxman and Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rockefeller on this point.  NRF and Shop.og will have to remain on top of this because we are certain that the next step will be to attempt to pursue these changes through the regular legislative process, probably this fall or early next year.

In the meantime, I would like to thank the numerous Shop.org and NRF members who helped raise concerns about the FTC’s request for these new powers.  Victories like this one come due to industry participants who get involved in the process.