FTC Asks Congress to Restore Consumer Relief Powers After Ruling

The acting chief of the Federal Trade Commission urged Congress to restore the agency’s authority to return money to consumers harmed by fraudsters, following last week’s Supreme Court decision that sharply reduced its powers.

The agency lost its best tool to seek consumer redress when the Supreme Court removed its monetary relief powers under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, Acting Chair Rebecca Slaughter said Tuesday before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection and commerce.

“The policy goals that animated our 13(b) program are to incentivize companies to comply with the law and return money to harmed ...