Curb unfair overdraft protection practices
Consumer advocates, including Consumer Action, joined in a letter asking Congress to pass a bill curbing unfair bank overdraft fees. On Friday Oct. 30, the House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on H.R. 3904, the Overdraft Protection Act of 2009 which would, among other provisions, require a warning before a withdrawal would trigger an overdraft fee and allow consumers to choose whether or not to enroll in overdraft programs.

Congress should ban tax patents
Consumer Action signed onto a letter opposing the ability to "patent" tax reduction/evasion strategies. Because of patents, some taxpayers may pay more tax than Congress intended.

Federal law should be a floor, not a ceiling, for consumer protection
As a part of Americans for Financial Reform coalition, Consumer Action sent a letter to Congress requesting that they not preempt states' authority in Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) legislation.

Keep community investment in consumer agency legislation
In the battle to define the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA), Consumer Action signed on to a letter requesting that the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) be reinserted into any legislation about the agency.

Student loans must be regulated by the CFPA
In coalition with many other groups, Consumer Action signed onto a letter asking Congress to ensure that the Consumer Financial Protection Agency be given must full authority to regulate private student loans regardless of the institution offering them.

Protect car buyers under consumer watchdog agency
Consumer Action, along with 29 other organizations, signed on to a letter asking Congressman Barney Frank to ensure that all aspects of car financing are covered under the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA).

Strike preemptive language in privacy and security bill
Consumer Action joined its privacy coalition partners in signing onto a letter urging Congress to remove "preemptive" language in a privacy and security bill, which would mean federal law would supersede state law. States have traditionally passed stronger laws protecting privacy than the government.

Health reform should provide quick and efficient coverage for Medicaid enrollees
Consumer Action signed onto a letter asking Senators Reid, Baucus, Harkin, and Dodd to ensure that any improvements to Medicaid in the health reform bill are implemented on the same schedule as other health coverage improvements and that newly eligible Medicaid enrollees receive adequate health coverage.

Financial reform coalition tackles big issues
A new financial reform coalition, Americans for Financial Reform, has been launched. Consumer Action is a part of this coalition.

Health reform legislation must lower costs for working families
In a letter to Congress, Consumer Action and its coalition partners ask that any laws enacted on behalf of healthcare reform include strong provisions making insurance coverage affordable.