Introducing the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act of 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. CORREA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Deceptive Downsizing Prohibition Act of 2024 (DDPA). This vital piece of legislation empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consumers and small businesses against deceptive downsizing, the act of maintaining a product's packaging while reducing the content size. By defining deceptive downsizing as a prohibited unfair and deceptive practice, the FTC can pursue an action against a manufacturer of a consumer product who deceives everyday Americans and businesses on Main Street.

DDPA bans the deceptive downsizing of consumer products, making it unlawful for manufacturers to sell products of reduced size, volume, or weight in packaging previously used for the same or similar product of a larger size. Holding manufacturers who engage in this deceptive practice accountable will protect consumers and small businesses.

The practice of deceptive downsizing has become a significant concern for American households, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. Food, personal care items, and household products that Americans rely on most are particularly impacted by this deceptive practice. As manufacturers reduce the size or weight of products while maintaining the same exterior packaging, consumers are left with less, often for the same or even higher price.

Most disturbingly, many consumers do not realize that the item they purchased was smaller than expected because the packaging looked the same, further intensifying the financial burden on hard-working Americans. Honesty in packaging is essential in enabling consumers to make informed choices, and misleading the public is unacceptable.

This is not simply an issue of safeguarding the wallets of Americans--it is about fairness. When hardworking American consumers and businesses shop, they expect the product that comes in the same size packaging will remain the same size. When that happens, consumers and small businesses rightly feel duped. I am introducing this legislation to ensure that no American family or business is deceived and getting less than expected.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this crucial legislation that will help protect American consumers and businesses from the practice of deceptive downsizing so they will know that when they buy a product, they get what they expect and deserve.

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