PREPARED STATEMENT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION on "Legislative Hearing on 17 FTC Bills"

The FTC is a highly productive and efficient, bipartisan independent agency with a broad mission. It is the only federal agency with jurisdiction to both protect consumers and maintain competition in most sectors of the economy. The agency enforces laws that prohibit business practices that are unfair or deceptive to consumers, or anticompetitive, and seeks to do so without impeding legitimate business activity. The vast majority of our law enforcement decisions are made unanimously.The FTC also educates consumers and businesses to encourage informed consumer choices, compliance with the law, and public understanding of the competitive process. In addition, the FTC promotes consumer protection and competitive markets through its research, advocacy, and policy work.