Chuck Bell
@chuckbell.bsky.social
Consumer, environmental, economic and social justice advocate. Day job is Programs Director, Advocacy at Consumer Reports. My posts are my own.
“…Don’t make come down there!” — former NY Rep Bella Abzug. #ProtectECOA #StopLendingDiscrimination
youtu.be/cTjIuhY12tY?...
youtu.be/cTjIuhY12tY?...
How Bella Abzug changed credit laws
YouTube video by Center for American Women and Politics
youtu.be
December 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM
“…Don’t make come down there!” — former NY Rep Bella Abzug. #ProtectECOA #StopLendingDiscrimination
youtu.be/cTjIuhY12tY?...
youtu.be/cTjIuhY12tY?...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
December 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Reposted by Chuck Bell
🚨 Will decades of fair lending law be gutted? Our panel explains the high stakes of the #CFPB ’s proposed changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and discusses how it could undo years of civil rights protections. #CivilRights #ECOA #CFAFSC
December 11, 2025 at 4:17 PM
🚨 Will decades of fair lending law be gutted? Our panel explains the high stakes of the #CFPB ’s proposed changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and discusses how it could undo years of civil rights protections. #CivilRights #ECOA #CFAFSC
“Forced arbitration is one-sided because the company writes the clauses, and federal law does not require an arbitrator to have legal training. The proceedings are sealed with no ability for appeal or even judicial review,” said Christine Chen Zinner.
communitysentinel.media/2025/12/10/t...
communitysentinel.media/2025/12/10/t...
The True Costs of Forced Arbitration Contracts - Community Sentinel
The FAIR Act would give workers a choice between arbitration or the court system in a dispute with employers.
communitysentinel.media
December 11, 2025 at 5:42 PM
“Forced arbitration is one-sided because the company writes the clauses, and federal law does not require an arbitrator to have legal training. The proceedings are sealed with no ability for appeal or even judicial review,” said Christine Chen Zinner.
communitysentinel.media/2025/12/10/t...
communitysentinel.media/2025/12/10/t...
“Equal opportunity for all Americans in education and housing is essential if we are going to keep our nation from being torn apart.” — former Michigan governor and HUD Secretary George Romney
www.propublica.org/article/livi...
www.propublica.org/article/livi...
Living Apart: How the Government Betrayed a Landmark Civil Rights Law
The authors of the 1968 Fair Housing Act wanted to reverse decades of government-fostered segregation. But presidents from both parties declined to enforce a law that stirred vehement opposition.
www.propublica.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:29 PM
“Equal opportunity for all Americans in education and housing is essential if we are going to keep our nation from being torn apart.” — former Michigan governor and HUD Secretary George Romney
www.propublica.org/article/livi...
www.propublica.org/article/livi...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
In collaboration w/ @groundwork.bsky.social & @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, we convened hundreds of volunteers from across the country to investigate Instacart’s AI-assisted pricing experiments at popular grocery stores like Target & Kroger. Read our full investigation below:
Instacart’s AI-Enabled Pricing Experiments May Be Inflating Your Grocery Bill, CR and Groundwork Collaborative Investigation Finds - Consumer Reports
Exclusive: Instacart’s AI pricing may be inflating your grocery bill.
www.consumerreports.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
In collaboration w/ @groundwork.bsky.social & @moreperfectunion.bsky.social, we convened hundreds of volunteers from across the country to investigate Instacart’s AI-assisted pricing experiments at popular grocery stores like Target & Kroger. Read our full investigation below:
Reposted by Chuck Bell
We’ve relaunched a 1940s classic. Bread & Butter from Consumer Reports is back to help you stretch your dollar and cut through the noise. Subscribe on Substack now: https://consumerreports.substack.com/
December 3, 2025 at 8:01 PM
We’ve relaunched a 1940s classic. Bread & Butter from Consumer Reports is back to help you stretch your dollar and cut through the noise. Subscribe on Substack now: https://consumerreports.substack.com/
Reposted by Chuck Bell
🚨 Certain e-bike batteries from Rad Power Bikes pose a serious risk of injury and death from fires, and consumers should stop using them immediately. The lithium-ion batteries have model numbers RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304.
Stop Using Batteries in Certain Rad Power E-Bikes Due to Fire Hazard, CPSC Warns - Consumer Reports
Rad Power e-bike batteries "pose a risk of serious injury and death," the CPSC says, after 31 reports of fires.
www.consumerreports.org
December 3, 2025 at 11:00 PM
🚨 Certain e-bike batteries from Rad Power Bikes pose a serious risk of injury and death from fires, and consumers should stop using them immediately. The lithium-ion batteries have model numbers RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304.
Consumer advocates are deeply concerned about recent & looming federal policy changes that could strip upwards of 14M consumers of their health insurance. But there’s hope: state insurance commissioners have the power to protect patients. Here’s how 📷
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org/resource/nai...
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org/resource/nai...
NAIC Consumer Representative Report: Recommendations for States’ Efforts to Mitigate Harms Caused by Federal Policy Actions - Consumer Health Reps at NAIC
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org
December 8, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Consumer advocates are deeply concerned about recent & looming federal policy changes that could strip upwards of 14M consumers of their health insurance. But there’s hope: state insurance commissioners have the power to protect patients. Here’s how 📷
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org/resource/nai...
consumeradvocacyforhealth.org/resource/nai...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
This op-ed summarizes much of this thread www.ms.now/opinion/infl.... 17/
Opinion | Everyone is talking about affordability – and making the same mistake
"As lawmakers grapple with the cost of living, they need to remind Americans – again and again – that pay is a policy choice," Heidi Shierholz writes.
www.ms.now
December 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This op-ed summarizes much of this thread www.ms.now/opinion/infl.... 17/
Reposted by Chuck Bell
So lawmakers need to repeat one core truth: PAY IS A POLICY CHOICE, and real affordability comes not just from lowering prices where possible, but from raising wages so that working people earn enough to cover the costs of living with dignity and security. 16/
December 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
So lawmakers need to repeat one core truth: PAY IS A POLICY CHOICE, and real affordability comes not just from lowering prices where possible, but from raising wages so that working people earn enough to cover the costs of living with dignity and security. 16/
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Affordability is dominating the discourse. What I don't like about the conversation is that it focuses almost entirely on prices—as if the only way to make life affordable is to make things cheaper. But affordability is determined by prices *and pay.* 1/
December 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Affordability is dominating the discourse. What I don't like about the conversation is that it focuses almost entirely on prices—as if the only way to make life affordable is to make things cheaper. But affordability is determined by prices *and pay.* 1/
Promoting HSAs in any form is likely to fragment health insurance & encourage healthier people to enroll in less comprehensive coverage. High deductible health plans suck for workers & their families, & put them on the hook for high copays and deductibles
www.kff.org/health-costs...
www.kff.org/health-costs...
Snapshots: Illustrating the Potential Impacts of Adverse Selection on Health Insurance Costs in Consumer Choice Models | KFF
A current strategy for addressing the cost of health insurance involves consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs).
www.kff.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Promoting HSAs in any form is likely to fragment health insurance & encourage healthier people to enroll in less comprehensive coverage. High deductible health plans suck for workers & their families, & put them on the hook for high copays and deductibles
www.kff.org/health-costs...
www.kff.org/health-costs...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Russ Vought has once again escalated his illegal CFPB shutdown by ordering CFPB cases to be transferred to the DOJ. It’s time for Congress to impeach and remove Russell Vought from power. nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
November 20, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Russ Vought has once again escalated his illegal CFPB shutdown by ordering CFPB cases to be transferred to the DOJ. It’s time for Congress to impeach and remove Russell Vought from power. nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Now Vought wants to shuffle our enforcement cases to DOJ and make them disappear. How much more compensation must wronged consumers lose? #stopvought #savecfpb
nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
CFPB Union Renews Call to Impeach Vought After Vought Escalates Illegal CFPB Shutdown by Ordering Transfer of Cases to DOJ, Despite Court Order - CFPB Union
Russ Vought, the acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, told CFPB staff today that he is “transferring” the CFPB’s lawsuits on behalf of American consumers to the Department...
nteu335.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Now Vought wants to shuffle our enforcement cases to DOJ and make them disappear. How much more compensation must wronged consumers lose? #stopvought #savecfpb
nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
nteu335.org/2025/11/20/c...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
“Payday loan apps that claim to be offering access to ‘earned wages’ are following a long line of payday lender attempts to evade the law so they can exploit people with rates over 300% APR,” said Lauren Saunders @nclc4consumers.bsky.social. @crlonline.bsky.social #EWA www.nclc.org/proposed-law...
Proposed Law Would Supercharge Predatory ‘Earned Wage’ Payday Lending
Legislation would open the door for payday loan apps to take even more from the already stretched-thin paychecks of military servicemembers and other workers.
www.nclc.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:51 PM
“Payday loan apps that claim to be offering access to ‘earned wages’ are following a long line of payday lender attempts to evade the law so they can exploit people with rates over 300% APR,” said Lauren Saunders @nclc4consumers.bsky.social. @crlonline.bsky.social #EWA www.nclc.org/proposed-law...
Homeowners in NY with a lower credit score of 630 or less can pay a surcharge of 75% or $1,167 for identical coverage Policymakers should prevent use of credit history to jack up rates for working class homeowners
consumerfed.org/press_releas...
consumerfed.org/press_releas...
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Homeowners in NY with a lower credit score of 630 or less can pay a surcharge of 75% or $1,167 for identical coverage Policymakers should prevent use of credit history to jack up rates for working class homeowners
consumerfed.org/press_releas...
consumerfed.org/press_releas...
Should #medicaldebt protections fall, "now we're going to make it even worse by ruining your credit record," said Chi Chi Wu of National Consumer Law Center. “It's just insult to injury. It's rubbing salt in the wound."
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Trump CFPB takes aim at 15 states that ban medical debt on credit reports—it's 'salt in the wound,' says consumer advocate
Recent guidance from the CFPB calls on courts to overturn laws in 15 states which prohibit including medical debt on consumer credit reports.
www.cnbc.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Should #medicaldebt protections fall, "now we're going to make it even worse by ruining your credit record," said Chi Chi Wu of National Consumer Law Center. “It's just insult to injury. It's rubbing salt in the wound."
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Watch how government propaganda techniques portray Chicago as a city at war with the feds
Watch how government propaganda techniques portray Chicago as a city at war with the feds
The government’s social media storytelling doesn’t always match what’s happening across the city and suburbs. The diverging sources of information are creating “parallel universes," professor Nick Cul...
www.wbez.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Watch how government propaganda techniques portray Chicago as a city at war with the feds
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Emergency Press Conference:
Update on the government shutdown and health care from Senator Gary Peters.
Update on the government shutdown and health care from Senator Gary Peters.
November 8, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Emergency Press Conference:
Update on the government shutdown and health care from Senator Gary Peters.
Update on the government shutdown and health care from Senator Gary Peters.
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Over 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning every year, according to the CDC. Installing and maintaining CO detectors can save lives. This #COAwarenessMonth, check out CR’s ratings and reviews of lifesaving CO detectors—which are always free to everyone.
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Ratings & Reviews - Consumer Reports
No one tests smoke & carbon monoxide detectors like we do. Get ratings, pricing, and performance for all the latest models based on the features you care about.
www.consumerreports.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Over 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning every year, according to the CDC. Installing and maintaining CO detectors can save lives. This #COAwarenessMonth, check out CR’s ratings and reviews of lifesaving CO detectors—which are always free to everyone.
Reposted by Chuck Bell
Plastic clothes? No, thank you! Join us and @defendourhealth.bsky.social in calling on 3 top children's clothing-makers to stop using so much plastic in their products. 🛑 Sign the petition urging Carters, H&M, and The Children's Place to stop using so much polyester. bit.ly/no-plastic-c...
STOP Making Kids' Clothes From Plastic
Polyester is a type of plastic that's made from fossil fuels combined with synthetic chemical additives, some of which are harmful to humans. Polyester clothing also contributes to the growing micropl...
bit.ly
October 27, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Plastic clothes? No, thank you! Join us and @defendourhealth.bsky.social in calling on 3 top children's clothing-makers to stop using so much plastic in their products. 🛑 Sign the petition urging Carters, H&M, and The Children's Place to stop using so much polyester. bit.ly/no-plastic-c...
Reposted by Chuck Bell
A frightening amount of plastic ends up thrown away after Halloween. Learn how you can make your celebration more sustainable by watching this interview with Judith Enck and by reading our Plastic-Free Halloween Tips!
abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/vi...
Guide: www.beyondplastics.org/holiday-guid...
abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/vi...
Guide: www.beyondplastics.org/holiday-guid...
Video Cutting scary waste and ghoulish plastic out of Halloween
A frightening amount of plastic ends up thrown away after Halloween. How you can make your celebration more sustainable?
abcnews.go.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A frightening amount of plastic ends up thrown away after Halloween. Learn how you can make your celebration more sustainable by watching this interview with Judith Enck and by reading our Plastic-Free Halloween Tips!
abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/vi...
Guide: www.beyondplastics.org/holiday-guid...
abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/vi...
Guide: www.beyondplastics.org/holiday-guid...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s medical debt credit reporting rule faces an uncertain future. States must work quickly to fill in the gaps #EndMedicalDebt
ourfinancialsecurity.org/news/consume...
ourfinancialsecurity.org/news/consume...
October 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s medical debt credit reporting rule faces an uncertain future. States must work quickly to fill in the gaps #EndMedicalDebt
ourfinancialsecurity.org/news/consume...
ourfinancialsecurity.org/news/consume...