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Press Release October 9, 1998 |
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WASHINGTON - Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine said the 105th Congress goes down as one of the most unproductive for consumer concerns in recent memory.
"When it comes to standing up for the little guy, the 105th Congress will be known as the 'Forgotten Consumer Congress'," said Gene Kimmelman, co-director of the DC office of Consumers Union. "From health care, to communications to financial services, lawmakers in this Congress were far too willing to put industry special interest ahead of the consumer's interest.
"In spite a few scattered signs of life, attempts to address the defining pocketbook issues that matter to consumers were either left to die on the vine or turn into sweetheart deals for industry special interests," Kimmelman added.
Consumers Union decried the lack of action on many fronts:
- Health care is becoming less affordable,
- Cable TV rates are skyrocketing,
- Bank Fees are escalating,
- Credit Card Industry abuses go unchecked,
- Debit Card liability exposure continues,
- Managed Care abuses persist,
- Privacy incursions are increasing; and
- Telecommunications prices are on the rise.
Consumers Union also expressed disappointment about anti-consumer legislation that passed this Congress in the area of bankruptcy law and copyright royalties.
A few exceptions to this troubling pattern stand out, including action on a measure to give consumers automatic cancellation rights for private mortgage insurance, modified legislation that originally quashed the development of furniture flammability standards, and a Senate decision to stop product liability legislation that was harmful to consumers. However, the bulk of action -- or inaction - shows this Congress disregarded consumer's bread and butter concerns, according to Consumers Union.
