H.R. 10701 – FTC Autonomy Act

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Updated October 7, 2026 at 4:23 AM UTC

The FTC Autonomy Act would give the Federal Trade Commission the power to start its own civil lawsuits to collect civil penalties, rather than having to rely on other parties to bring the action. By changing the FTC’s statutory language, the bill lets the agency pursue penalties for violations of any law it enforces. This would affect the FTC and any businesses or individuals subject to FTC enforcement actions.

Key Provisions

Amends the FTC Act to allow the Commission itself to bring civil actions to recover civil penalties.
Adds a new provision letting the FTC obtain civil penalties authorized under any law it enforces.
Updates related statutory language to remove references that limit the FTC’s ability to collect penalties.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 1, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

October 1, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 1, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10701

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 1, 2026

Ms. Schakowsky (for herself and Ms. Castor of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To authorize the Federal Trade Commission to independently initiate civil actions to recover certain civil penalties, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the FTC Autonomy Act.

2.

Federal Trade Commission independent litigation authority

(a)

Authority of the FTC To recover certain civil penalties

The Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in section 5(l), in the first sentence, by inserting the Commission or after brought by; and

(2)

in section 16(a)(2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (D), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

(B)

in subparagraph (E), by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting ; or; and

(C)

by inserting after subparagraph (E) the following:

(F)

to obtain a civil penalty authorized under any provision of law enforced by the Commission;

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 16(a)(1)(A) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 56(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking (including an action to collect a civil penalty).