May 15, 1975
Page 14721
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to support the Consumer Protection Act of 1975, legislation which would establish an agency in the Federal Government charged with protecting the interests of American consumers.
Contrary to some opinion, consumers are not a special interest – each of us is a consumer, from company presidents to housewives, from the self-employed to the wage earner.
But the term "consumer" has taken on connotations which have tended to cloud the purpose of the Consumer Protection Agency and to draw unnecessarily harsh lines of support and opposition.
This legislation before us today has taken 6 years of work by Congress. As a cosponsor of this legislation, I believe it is unfortunate that we have not acted sooner.
But we have also benefited from this period by refining further the specific provisions of this bill. We have considered the problems raised by earlier provisions, and made needed improvements.
Now, we have a bill that achieves the delicate balance of the rights of people directly affected. It provides a strong voice for consumer interests, insuring that every individual has access to adequate remedies. And it provides enough procedural safeguards so that no business need fear arbitrary harassment or bureaucratic caprice.
In the years that Congress considered this legislation, consumers have become more aware of their rights in the marketplace. They are more alert now, and expect Government to be responsive.
Enactment of this bill will be a major step toward more responsive government at a time when the economic needs of the American people are foremost.