Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this en bloc amendment.

I have done financial counseling for low-income clients at Legal Aid and I learned firsthand that people don't struggle by choice.

I was an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission where my work involved enforcing the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I have seen how predatory debt collection tactics hurt our families and our communities. Consumers face harassment at home and at work. They frequently get misinformation about debts they might not even legally owe. The problems around debt collection are pervasive.

Data from the Urban Institute shows that 68 million Americans had a debt in collection before the pandemic, and most consumers sued by collection agencies don't have legal representation.

My amendment will update the law so consumers get advance notice of legal action against them and accurate details about what they legally owe. Strengthening protections for consumers will help individuals and families get through this economic crisis and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support the en bloc amendment and the underlying bill. I thank Chairwoman Waters and Chairman Perlmutter for their leadership.

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