Susan Weinstock, Director of the Financial Reform Campaign for Consumer Federation of America, says an amendment proposed by Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) to the House Finance Services Committee on the Consumer Financial Protection Agency bill will exemplify auto lenders from the agency. The Consumer Federation for America is asking the committee to deny the amendment due to shady lending tactics used by some auto lenders. (0:16)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Consumers are being tipped upside down by the big oil companies, with money being shaken out of their pockets at the pump. This statement made by Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA), was widely echoed by all members of Congress present at the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. President Bush, he said, refuses to use our oil reserves, and not only is that something that can be done, it is something that should be done. Congressman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) echoed that by adding that they need to put aside bipartisanship and releasing the reserves was essentially paying attention to Economics 101.
(more…)

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released today its first quarterly report that tracks U.S. gasoline consumption, expenditures, oil imports and consumer attitudes. Jack Gillis, CFA director of public affairs, says he hopes consumers continue to “put pressure on elected officials for even greater fuel efficiency standards”, but also that consumers learn what they can do to reduce gasoline consumption and gasoline costs. (0:50)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), says that the CFA has two overall goals to decrease consumption of oil in America: ensure that the public pressures the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration for “appropriate regulatory action” and that the auto makers “respond to consumers’ desire for more fuel efficient vehicles.” (0:21)

 

 Standard Podcast [0:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download