FTC gets sharper teeth to claw back fraud profits from companies
S. 4311 — Consumer Protection Remedies Act of 2026 · Filed by Maria Cantwell (D-WA) · 5 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 15, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill expands the Federal Trade Commission's enforcement powers by allowing it to seek stronger remedies in court against companies that violate consumer protection laws. Specifically, it enables the FTC to pursue restitution (refunds to harmed consumers), contract rescission, disgorgement of illegal profits, and other equitable remedies—with a 10-year lookback period for claims. The bill also clarifies that time spent outside the U.S. doesn't count toward statute-of-limitations calculations, potentially extending the FTC's reach against foreign actors.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to broaden the FTC's remedial toolkit in litigation—moving from injunctions alone to restitution, disgorgement, and contract reformation. This is a straightforward expansion of regulatory enforcement authority, not a hidden carve-out or subsidy.
What the text implies
- The 10-year lookback for disgorgement and restitution may incentivize companies to delay litigation or settle early, potentially reducing the FTC's ability to recover the full scope of historical violations.
- Tolling of limitations periods for time spent outside the U.S. could expose foreign companies to retroactive enforcement decades after conduct occurred, creating uncertainty for international commerce.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
consumer advocacy organizations; plaintiff-side consumer litigation firms; class-action attorneys