U.S. PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP for U.S. PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP

Education EDU

Support and advocacy for program integrity regulation, including gainful employment, published by the Department of Education. Regulations governing student health plans.

Contacted: SENATE; Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Treasury, Dept of; Natl Economic Council (NEC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); State, Dept of (DOS); White House Office; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Federal Reserve System; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Education, Dept of

Transportation TRA

Surface Transportation Reauthorization

Contacted: Education, Dept of; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Reserve System; Natl Economic Council (NEC); SENATE; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); State, Dept of (DOS); Treasury, Dept of; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); White House Office; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Banking BAN

1)Reform Financial Services Regulation. Provided comments to hill and administrative agencies -- signed letters, testified, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which had become law 21 July 2010. 2) Support efforts against unfair bank fees, including support for HR 1456, the Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act (had testified in House in March 2009). 3) Support reinstatement of federal usury ceilings on financial transactions (S. 500/HR 1608). 4) Support efforts to implement strong consumer and transparency protections in various regulations including gift cards, credit cards, overdraft fees, before Federal Reserve and other financial agencies. 5) Testify (6/16/2010) before Senate Appropriations in support of Durbin interchange fee amendment to S 3217/HR 4173 and 4/28 before House Judiciary re support for antitrust interchange legislation, HR 2695. 6) Support efforts (Sec. 4901, HR 4173) to grant greater authority to FTC to better protect consumers against financial fraud and impose greater sanctions against wrongdoers. 8) Urged administration/DOJ to support state causes of actions/state attorneys general enforcement authority in various state and federal cases including Cuomo vs. Clearinghouse and OCC. 9) In various fora, urged administration, State and USTR to support international financial rules as floor not ceiling of consumer protection; 10) Support S 1595, Deceptive Loan Check Elimination Act. Lobbied for an extension of the American Opportunity Tax Credit in a final tax deal.

Contacted: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Natl Economic Council (NEC); State, Dept of (DOS); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Education, Dept of; SENATE; Treasury, Dept of; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); White House Office; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Reserve System; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Bills named: H.R. 2695 (111th), S. 500 (111th), H.R. 4173 (111th), H.R. 1608 (111th), H.R. 1456 (111th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

H.R. 3082, a continuing resolution to fund programs through March 4th. Lobbied for full funding of the Pell grant. Fiscal accountability, spending cuts.

Contacted: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Reserve System; Natl Economic Council (NEC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Treasury, Dept of; White House Office; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Education, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); SENATE; State, Dept of (DOS); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS)

Bills named: H.R. 3082 (111th)

Environment/Superfund ENV

Support reauthorization of Superfund polluter pays tax.

Contacted: U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); State, Dept of (DOS); Federal Reserve System; Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Natl Economic Council (NEC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Education, Dept of; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); White House Office; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Treasury, Dept of; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); SENATE; Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Bankruptcy BNK

1) Restructure Mortgages in Bankruptcy and add foreclosure protections: Provided comments to hill, signed letters, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform. Significant provisions added as Title 14 of Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Supported efforts to enact strongest possible provisions to allow bankruptcy judges to restructure first mortgages. Bills included S 61, HR 200 and HR 1106. 2) Support efforts to repeal/amend 2005 bankruptcy law (PL 109-8) restrictions on consumer rights. Previous testimony in House (House Judiciary) on credit cards and bankruptcy.

Contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Federal Reserve System; Natl Economic Council (NEC); Executive Office of the President (EOP); SENATE; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Education, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); State, Dept of (DOS); Treasury, Dept of; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); White House Office; Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Bills named: H.R. 1106 (111th), H.R. 200 (111th)

Chemicals/Chemical Industry CHM

Support Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 (HR 2868), all titles; Drinking Water System Security Act (H.R. 3258), all titles; oppose proposals to extend existing CFATS program for another 4 years (S. 2996) support Kid Safe Chemicals Act (HR 6100; S3040 in 110th ; not yet introduced in 111th) all titles; support measures to ban or restrict use of Bisphenol A (HR 1523; S.593; S753)

Contacted: Executive Office of the President (EOP); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Natl Economic Council (NEC); White House Office; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Treasury, Dept of; Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Federal Reserve System; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); SENATE; Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); State, Dept of (DOS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Education, Dept of; Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Bills named: S. 2996 (111th), S. 593 (111th), H.R. 6100 (111th), H.R. 2868 (111th), H.R. 1523 (111th), H.R. 3258 (111th)

Health Issues HCR

Discussing the implementation of the Affordable Care Act; S.3653, a bill repealing the Independent Payment Advisory Board; Regulations regarding state health care exchanges

Contacted: Education, Dept of; HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Natl Economic Council (NEC); SENATE; White House Office; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); State, Dept of (DOS); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Treasury, Dept of; Federal Reserve System; Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)

Bills named: S. 3653 (111th)

Food Industry (safety, labeling, etc.) FOO

Support re-authorization of the Child Nutrition Act; enactment of S.510 (the FDA Modernization Act); support measures to ban Bisphenol A in food packaging (HR 1523; S.593; S753)

Contacted: Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Natl Economic Council (NEC); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); SENATE; Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Federal Reserve System; Food & Drug Administration (FDA); State, Dept of (DOS); Education, Dept of; Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Treasury, Dept of; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); White House Office; Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Bills named: S. 593 (111th), S. 510 (111th), H.R. 1523 (111th)

Consumer Issues/Safety/Products CSP

Supported efforts to implement 2008 Consumer Product Safety Commission Improvement Act, which added resources, regulated dangerous and/or toxic products. Provided comments to hill, signed letters, lobbied on all aspects of legislation and proposed regulations pertaining to reform. Testified in previous quarters. Specific new law is PL 110-314 (HR 4040, Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act). 2) Supported efforts, Medical Device Safety Act (S. 540, HR 1346) to overturn Supreme Court decision in Riegel v. Medtronic limiting state common law remedies against certain medical device manufacturers. 3) Broadly support all other efforts to preserve consumer private rights of action and to oppose preemption of stronger state consumer financial or health and safety laws. 4) Supported Representative Weiners amendment to H.R. 3200, Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, to require transparency by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who contract with health plans in the national insurance exchange or with the public plan. OTHER ACTIVITIES: Supported various efforts to protect consumers from unfair business or marketplace practices by signing letters, lobbying or commenting on various proposals: 1) Mandatory Arbitration: Support (letters) for HR 1020, the Arbitration Fairness Act to ban mandatory arbitration in consumer laws. 2) Opposed (letter) S. 202 and S. 164, the "Passenger Vehicle Loss Disclosure Act of 2009" 3) Letters limited to opposition to elimination of inequitable conduct defense in the Patent Reform Act (S 515, HR 1260), to encourage generic substitutes for brand name pharmaceuticals. 4) Opposition to the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act, S 738, HR 1744, which would legalize unfair practices of predatory rent to own stores. 5) Supported aspects of Federal Aviation Administration reforms pertaining to Airline Passengers Bill of Rights (HR 915, FAA Reauthorization and S. 213 (Boxer-Snowe). 5) Support strong enforcement of antitrust laws, including opposition to merger of Ticketmaster and LiveNation (testimony in House in previous quarter). Supported DOJ action against Mastercard and Visa re credit card fees. 6) Signed letters to White House urging amendments to GM/Chrysler bankruptcy negotiations to reinstate compensation rights of injured victims. 7) Supported variety of efforts, including Equal Employment for All Act (Cohen, House) to amend Fair Credit Reporting Act. 7) Urged support for legislation (not yet filed) to overturn Supreme Court in Leegin, reinstating ban on resale price maintenance. 8) Opposed aspects of Chrysler car company bankruptcy negotiations with administration that limited crash victim rights. 9) Supported Congressional efforts to overturn limits on oil company spill liability. PRIVACY: Support efforts to ensure that federal law provides consumers with strong privacy protection, prevents identity theft, and holds companies and government agencies accountable when they lose consumer data. Support includes lobbying, letters, and communications as necessary. Support HR 2221 in part/oppose in part. 2) Testified on Internet privacy on 22 July 2010 on HR 5777 (Rush) and a discussion draft (Boucher) on notice and consent on Internet-- supported in part/opposed in part.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC); Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS); Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); White House Office; State, Dept of (DOS); Executive Office of the President (EOP); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Treasury, Dept of; Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); Federal Trade Commission (FTC); Federal Reserve System; SENATE; Education, Dept of; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Natl Credit Union Administration (NCUA); Agriculture, Dept of (USDA); Transportation, Dept of (DOT); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC); Natl Economic Council (NEC); Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

Bills named: H.R. 3200 (111th), H.R. 2221 (111th), H.R. 1020 (111th), H.R. 4040 (111th), H.R. 1346 (111th), H.R. 1260 (111th), H.R. 5777 (111th), S. 164 (111th), H.R. 915 (111th), H.R. 1744 (111th), S. 202 (111th), S. 540 (111th), S. 213 (111th)