Daines’ Bill to Protect Consumers Passes Senate Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today hailed the bipartisan passage of his legislation to protect and expand protections for consumers. 

The bipartisan Consumer Review Freedom Act unanimously passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee this morning. The bill would prohibit the use of non-disparagement clauses referred to as “gag clauses,” which are often found in little-read online user agreements.

“Feedback from consumers provides valuable insights not only for companies but for other consumers looking for honest firsthand information,” Daines stated. “We should encourage competition and let consumers’ voices be heard on a free and open Internet. I’m pleased to see this commonsense legislation move forward and will continue working to get this bill on the President’s desk.” 

Daines is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Consumer Review Freedom Act. The bill received its first legislative hearing in the Committee on November 4, 2015.

The Consumer Review Freedom Act would prohibit business practices like the example above, while still allowing business owners to sue reviewers who make dishonest misrepresentations about their business.

Click here for a copy of the legislation as amended in today’s markup.

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