Happening this week! Don't miss our upcoming in-person event "The People's Oversight Hearing." We are 10 months into the 119th Congress, and American has yet to see an oversight hearing for independent agencies such as the @FCC, @FTC and CFPB — so we've decided to host our own.

The independent agencies meant to protect the American public from corporate abuse are failing to do so – and Congress hasn’t held a single oversight hearing this year to find out why. Join us in telling Congress: Hold oversight hearings now:

How is the current #CFPB responding to America’s #AutoLoan delinquency crisis? Hear @ErinWitteCFA ask Christine Zinner, of Alliance for Justice, at The People’s #Oversight Hearing @publicknowledge

The Trump administration’s actions at the CFPB signal to banks and lenders that it’s open season for defrauding and taking advantage of working families. Via @jennzhang_ at @publicknowledge Full testimony: https://t.co/OJqK3RhVlF

"He's seeking an authoritarian takeover. It's an immediate threat to our freedom and democracy. Oversight is needed to call out the misuse of these agencies. This unprecedented campaign to weaponize these agencies must be stopped."

"Under this admin, the FTC is retreating from its role of protecting consumers from fraud & standing up for workers. He's politicizing the agency... The Trump admin has attempted to weaken and dismantle the CFPB. He's gutted the agency to enrich his billionaire buddies."

At today's People's Oversight Hearing, @SenBlumenthalm shared remarks on President Trump's campaign to expand his own power and weaponize federal agencies to his own benefit and chill free speech. You can view his full remarks here:

"The relevant oversight committees must put aside an interest in supporting or opposing agency leadership on the basis of ideological perspectives... our citizens, families, and friends will be better off if Congress effectively exercises its authority." (11)

"The failure of the Congress to exercise effective oversight of the FTC must be reversed... to balance increased presidential control of the agency and to reverse the effects of Congress' past failures." (10)

"But it clearly raises substantial concerns of improper acts of influence or misdirection of the commission's scarce resources." (9)

"In some respects, this is a positive -- esp. since the president's role will be more public and thus, more accountable." (8)

"The president, arguably, is taking steps to increase the office of the president's ability to exercise effective oversight and authority over the direction and the policies of the commission." (7)

"With relatively unbounded authority, effective oversight is necessary for the commission or any agency may not otherwise use its scarce resources in anything approaching its most effective use." (6)

"Worse is the current Congress' inattention to the FTC. Its broad authority makes it difficult to claim that its actions go beyond the scope of its authority." (5)

"The rapid decline of the agency in the past 5 years should be of significant concern. What I did see... are oversight committees and members who are bogged down in partisan commentary on the operation of the agency without offering a direction." (4)

"A substantial amount of the responsibility for the agency's current state rests with Congress because of its unwillingness... to provide effective nonpartisan oversight of the agency." (3)

"There are a few causes for the FTC's current state, including recent budgetary mismanagement at the commission; heavy presidential involvement in uprooting the civil service; and an effort to change the agency's core law enforcement mission..." (2)

At today's People's Oversight Hearing, Bilal Sayyed, Counsel, Cadwalader & Senior Competition Counsel, @TechFreedom, had this to say: "The FTC is diminished in its ability to perform its law enforcement, regulatory, & advocacy mission as compared to the end of first Trump admin."

Learn more about President Trump's lawless attack on the FTC's independence in our statement on Commissioner Slaughter's illegal firing:

"We care about transparency & accountability because we want the law to be administered without fear OR favor. We want staff to do their job w/o fear of getting fired for failure to do a favor for the president's friends, donors, & allies and that's what we're missing now." (6)

"We've heard about Congress' failure to do their job & provide transparency & accountability for agency leaders. At the end of the day, why do we care? Remember the image from the inauguration of the nation's biggest oligarchs surrounding the president when he was sworn in. (5)