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H.R. 4996: International Consumer Protection Act of 2004

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H.R. 4996: International Consumer Protection Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2004-07-22 · Commerce · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2004-07-22 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

International Consumer Protection Act of 2004

Plain summary

International Consumer Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to include within unfair or deceptive acts or practices those involving foreign commerce that: (1) cause or are likely to cause reasonably foreseeable injury within the United States; or (2) involve material conduct occurring within the United States. Makes available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to such acts in foreign commerce all remedies it uses in domestic commerce, including restitution to domestic or foreign victims. Sets forth FTC powers, including authority to provide investigative assistance for foreign law enforcement agencies. Authorizes FTC attorneys to assist the Attorney General in foreign litigation and FTC sharing of information with foreign law enforcement agencies. Applies to the FTC the procedures for delay of notification or prohibition of disclosure under the Right to Financial Privacy Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act where a court or the FTC finds that notification may cause an adverse result. Authorizes the FTC, where neither notification nor delayed notification are required, to apply ex parte for a court order prohibiting the recipient of compulsory process issued by the FTC from disclosing to any other person the existence of such process. Sets forth guidelines for the protection of specified entities who volunteer information to the FTC. Permits the temporary exchange of staff between the FTC and foreign government agencies in order to facilitate implementation of this Act. Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act to permit the FTC to exchange information with specified financial regulators.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

International Consumer Protection Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-hr4996 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108