Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (12 U.S.C. § 5301 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
Enacted after the 2008 financial crisis, Dodd–Frank aimed to reduce systemic risk, increase transparency, and protect consumers from abusive financial practices.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
The Glass–Steagall Act (1933) had separated commercial and investment banking but was repealed in 1999. Existing securities and banking laws failed to prevent the 2008 crisis. Dodd–Frank created a modernized regulatory framework.