21st Century FTC Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 16, 2021

21st Century FTC Act

This bill eliminates certain requirements with respect to the rulemaking authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Specifically, the FTC may promulgate a rule under the Administrative Procedure Act defining an unfair or deceptive trade practice without (1) publishing advance notice of the rulemaking, (2) finding a widespread pattern of an applicable unfair practice, or (3) providing the opportunity for an informal hearing. It also limits the opportunity for the FTC or a petitioner of a rule to make additional oral submissions and written presentations while a rule is under judicial review.

Further, a court may not set aside a rule promulgated through such notice and comment process on the basis that the FTC failed to complete a regulatory analysis.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] · D–FL

Committees

Energy and Commerce Committee

3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 19, 2021
Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
Jul 16, 2021
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jul 16, 2021
Introduced in House
Jul 16, 2021
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 16, 2021 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Oct 5, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4447 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4447, 117th Congress: 21st Century FTC Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4447

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4447/BILLS-117hr4447ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-10-05T21:14:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4447 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4447 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.4447, 117th Congress: 21st Century FTC Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4447

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4447/BILLS-117hr4447ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-10-05T21:14:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4447 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4447 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss H.R.4447, 117th Congress: 21st Century FTC Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4447

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4447/BILLS-117hr4447ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-10-05T21:14:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4447 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4447 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4447, 117th Congress: 21st Century FTC Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4447

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2021-07-16.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/hr4447/BILLS-117hr4447ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-10-05T21:14:36Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4447 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.