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H.R.4996 / 108th Congress

International Consumer Protection Act of 2004

Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 22, 2004

International Consumer Protection Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to include within unfair or deceptive acts or practices those involving foreign commerce that: (1) cause or are likely to cause reasonably foreseeable injury within the United States; or (2) involve material conduct occurring within the United States.

Makes available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with respect to such acts in foreign commerce all remedies it uses in domestic commerce, including restitution to domestic or foreign victims.

Sets forth FTC powers, including authority to provide investigative assistance for foreign law enforcement agencies.

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Authorizes FTC attorneys to assist the Attorney General in foreign litigation and FTC sharing of information with foreign law enforcement agencies.

Applies to the FTC the procedures for delay of notification or prohibition of disclosure under the Right to Financial Privacy Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act where a court or the FTC finds that notification may cause an adverse result. Authorizes the FTC, where neither notification nor delayed notification are required, to apply ex parte for a court order prohibiting the recipient of compulsory process issued by the FTC from disclosing to any other person the existence of such process.

Sets forth guidelines for the protection of specified entities who volunteer information to the FTC.

Permits the temporary exchange of staff between the FTC and foreign government agencies in order to facilitate implementation of this Act.

Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act to permit the FTC to exchange information with specified financial regulators.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] · R–FL

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

  2. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

  3. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1514)

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4996 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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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4996 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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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4996 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.

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