Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act now eligible for Senate Floor vote

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-Neb.) legislation to fight freight fraud unanimously passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. The Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act now awaits consideration on the Senate floor. Fischer introduced the bill in January of this year.

If signed into law, the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act would give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) the tools needed to protect consumers from fraud by scammers in the interstate transportation of household goods.

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL) and Mike Ezell (MS-04) introduced identical companion legislation in the House.

Click the image above to watch a video of Fischer’s remarks in the Senate Commerce Committee

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Fischer’s Remarks as Prepared for Delivery:

Today, this committee unanimously advanced my bill, S. 337, the Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act.

I want to thank Senator Duckworth for helping lead this effort. Since 2021, there has been a 1500% percent increase in cargo theft incidents, costing the industry $35 billion annually.

S. 337 allows FMSCA to impose civil penalties against unauthorized brokers. 

Additionally, it would require companies in the household goods sector to establish a principle place of business to prohibit fraudulent companies from skirting existing regulations. 

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will give the FMCSA the tools needed to protect consumers from fraud by scammers in the interstate transportation of household goods.