In committee
No GOUGE Act
This bill prohibits large companies with over $100 million in annual revenue from raising prices on goods affected by tariffs beyond the actual, direct costs imposed by the tax. Businesses cannot hike prices in advance for planned tariffs that have not yet taken effect, nor can they justify price increases using executive pay or stock buybacks. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general would be authorized to sue violating companies for customer refunds and penalties, supported by a new public reporting system for consumer complaints.
People affected—Not determinable from the text; applies broadly to qualifying large corporate entities and consumers across U.S. supply chains without establishing a specific count.
Fiscal magnitude—no CBO estimate published
Reach68provisional · pending reviewrigor: heuristic llm
What this bill touches.
Market protections+62Role of government+52Regulation (cross-sector)+58
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- ConsumersProtects consumers from pricing markups exceeding direct tariff costs, establishes telephone, mail, and online complaint channels to report suspected overcharges, and allows state officials to recover restitution or damages on their behalf.
- State attorneys general and state agenciesAuthorizes state attorneys general and state agencies to bring civil actions in federal or state court on behalf of residents to enjoin violations and obtain restitution, damages, or other relief.
Who it burdens
- Businesses selling tariffed goods with annual revenue of at least $100 millionProhibits businesses with $100 million or more in annual goods revenue from raising prices on tariffed goods or components beyond direct tariff costs and legitimate business expenses for five years, exposing them to FTC penalties and civil lawsuits.
- Large companies with annual revenue of $1 billion or moreEstablishes a legal presumption that companies earning $1 billion or more violate pricing restrictions during tariff shocks if they raise prices above pre-tariff levels, placing the burden on them to rebut with clear and convincing evidence.
- Federal Trade CommissionCharged with enforcing pricing caps under the FTC Act, promulgating regulations, establishing consumer complaint systems within 180 days, reviewing reports, and submitting annual reports to Congress.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. International Trade CommissionRequired to jointly prepare and submit annual public reports to Congress on pricing trends by companies earning $1 billion or more, with the BLS required to update its survey questions if existing data collection is insufficient.