Maxine Waters

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi) who is also the sponsor of this legislation.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat).

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield the gentleman from New York an additional 1 minute.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty).

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, I certainly want to thank Mr. Suozzi for bringing forward this legislation. I want to thank Mr. Espaillat and Congresswoman Beatty for joining with him to bring this legislation forward. I want to thank Mr. McHenry and the members of the Financial Services Committee for joining together in support of this legislation. The Harlem Hellfighters braved long deployments, treacherous conditions, and the scorn of their fellow patriots. So we find ourselves, I guess, 100 years later or so, understanding the important role that they played and the sacrifices that they made. We also understand how important it is for all of us to not only give recognition to their sacrifice, but also recognize that this country has gone through some very difficult times, faced with the question of race. Despite the fact that we have seen times in this country when we were moving forward and we thought we were erasing the kind of racism that had been present for too long, we find ourselves today fighting some of the same battles. There are many in the history of this country who have made sacrifices in so many different ways that perhaps will never be recognized. But I am hopeful, with the cooperation, the cosponsorship, and the work for both sides of the aisle on a recognition such as this, that this will help us to continue to fight to rid this country of racism and discrimination and hatred. I am hopeful that the word will go forward today about this recognition that we are giving to the Harlem Hellfighters and will inspire others to want to praise and honor those who are certainly ones who are so committed to justice and equality, and who love this country will be treated better, will be recognized, and certainly will be given their correct place in history. So I urge Members to celebrate the memory of these brave men of the 369th Infantry Regiment, who, through their service, sought to realize a more equal and a more perfect union, by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 3642. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2332) to prohibit consumer reporting agencies from furnishing a consumer report containing any adverse item of information about a consumer if such consumer is a victim of trafficking, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the Committee on Financial Services ranking member, Mr. McHenry, for introducing H.R. 2332, the Debt Bondage Repair Act. Over the last year, working in a bipartisan manner, the Financial Services Committee has been engaged in an examination of trafficking issues of all types. As we heard at a recent hearing that delved into issues of human trafficking, which includes forced labor, sex trafficking and organ trafficking, victims of trafficking are not only abused physically and emotionally, but financially also. The moving testimony of Reverend Dr. Martin Hatcher, an advocate for sex trafficking survivors and a survivor himself, demonstrated how traffickers steal their victims' identities, open accounts in their names, run up credit card debt, purchase large ticket items like automobiles, and take out loans while pretending to be their victims. This financial exploitation is not only designed as a stream of finance, allowing the traffickers' operation to thrive, but it also inflicts long-term harm and asserts control over the victim. This bill, which aims to help survivors of human trafficking restore their credit and gain access to the consumer financial products and services that most of us take for granted, is an important step in restoring survivors' dignity and financial stability and in preventing revictimization. Specifically, the bill prohibits credit bureaus from including adverse information that resulted from human or sex trafficking in a victim's credit report. It directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to develop a process to ensure that adverse information caused by their traffickers is not included in a victim's credit report. Such a process does not exist now and, given the importance that credit reports play in our economy, it makes it difficult for survivors in our communities to get a loan or even secure a job. As noted by the Survivor Inclusion Initiative of the Human Trafficking Focus Liechtenstein Initiative, we must ``facilitate survivor access to basic banking services, such as checking and savings accounts, and help survivors' financial recovery to become full financial participants in their communities.'' Madam Speaker, for these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. I reserve the balance of my time until Mr. McHenry yields back.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Survivors of human trafficking face many obstacles to recovering from the physical, emotional, and financial abuse inflicted by their traffickers. The Debt Bondage Repair Act makes strides in assisting them to restore their credit and achieve financial reintegration into their communities. Congress can play a leading role in helping trafficking survivors to take back control. For that reason, I certainly urge both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting this important bill. I do want to take a moment to thank my ranking member, Mr. McHenry, for the leadership that he has provided on trafficking in general and on financial trafficking specifically. This is important legislation, and I am so pleased to be able to work with him, and I am so pleased that this bill has bipartisan support. I want to thank him for the work that he has done and will continue to do. I would also briefly note that survivors of trafficking are not the only individuals who are harmed by our broken credit reporting system. The system serves as a major barrier to economic opportunity for so many others. So we are going to continue working with Mr. McHenry, and I have scheduled a full committee hearing on June 29 to further explore these credit reporting challenges. I believe that our Republican colleagues will join with us to advance bold solutions to make the system fair for all of our constituents. Again, I am so pleased that the members of the committee have worked together. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2332, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1443) to amend the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to require the collection of small business loan data related to LGBTQ-owned businesses, as amended.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from New York, Representative Torres, for his leadership on H.R. 1443, the LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act. We know transparency is critical in helping identify discriminatory lending practices in the financial marketplace. This bill would enhance a provision of Dodd-Frank requiring data collection on lending to small and minority-owned businesses to include data on lending to LGBTQ-owned businesses as well, including self-reported gender identity and sexual orientation. This bill will also define an LGBTQ-owned business in the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the ECOA, which would allow more businesses to gain access to capital and investment. Of course, June is Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the LGBTQ community's significant contributions to our country, including to the economy, and to also stand as allies. We know there is more work to be done to ensure equal opportunities. For example, according to a study of mortgage lending data from 2019, loan applicants in neighborhoods with a higher density of LGBTQ people received higher interest and fees, regardless of the applicant's sexuality or identity. In addition, LGBTQ individuals face employment discrimination, which has contributed to high rates of poverty, especially for LGBTQ people of color. The Williams Institute found that nearly 31 percent of Black LGBTQ people live in poverty compared with nearly 25 percent of Black cisgender, straight people. These factors further support the urgency of supporting LGBTQ businesses as they create job opportunities and build community wealth. As of 2016, there were an estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses in the United States. The CFPB needs to begin collecting this data and help us as policymakers and the public identify and understand the community development needs of LGBTQ-owned businesses. I am pleased we were able to report this bill unanimously out of committee with a voice vote. I hope we can build on that bipartisan effort, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time we have remaining in this debate?

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield all 17\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Torres), who is also the sponsor of this legislation.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. The LGBTQ Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act led by Representative Torres would help ensure that LGBTQ business owners have access to opportunities to grow and invest through government and other private procurement contracts as well as have equal access to credit opportunities. This bill is supported by the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Center for American Progress, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research, Human Rights Campaign, Out Leadership, and many others. The Financial Services Committee passed this bill unanimously by voice vote in May 2021, and I would like to urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, again, to join me in supporting this important legislation. I would like to thank the ranking member, Mr. McHenry, for joining with me and others to pass this important legislation and particularly this Pride Month that we are all celebrating the progress that has been made in the LGBTQ community. I thank Mr. McHenry for his cosponsorship, his support, and his cooperation, for all that we are able to get done these days working together. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3325) to award four congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as amended.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi) the Speaker, who is also the sponsor of this legislation.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, I commend Speaker Pelosi for bringing forward this legislation. Every day, the brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police put their lives on the line in service to our Nation. On January 6, we all witnessed this bravery firsthand as they fought against those who would seek to end this democracy. It is true that the leadership and decisive action on that day saved many lives, including my own. We honor their sacrifices on that day, and every day we thank them for their service. Madam Speaker and Members, I cannot help but say at this time where this bill is being discussed on the floor of the House of Representatives, I saw Capitol Police in hand-to-hand combat with these insurrectionists. I saw them being attacked by QAnon, by the proud boys, by the oath keepers, by the KKK, by white supremacists. I thought I would never see such in my lifetime. I watched Capitol Police being attacked with the American flag jabbed into their bodies. I never thought those who considered themselves conservative would attack uniformed police officers of the Capitol or any place, but we saw it. So we can't say enough about these Capitol Police, whose lives were endangered and some who lost their lives and some who are still trying to recuperate from the injuries that they received. I am absolutely saddened by the fact that too many do not want to know what really happened that day, who oppose investigation, oppose a commission to delve into exactly what took place, who was responsible, who organized it, who paid for it, et cetera. I could go on all day and night talking about that experience, as many Members of Congress perhaps would like to do, but I know that, despite the fact, there is opposition to delving into what happened. We are going to find out what happened. We are going to find out who supported all of the resources that were put together to bring people here in buses and put them on airplanes to come and attack us in the Capitol of the United States of America. So I urge all Members to honor the sacrifices and courage displayed by the members of the Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police, and other law enforcement agencies by voting ``yes'' on H.R. 3325. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that a1l Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 2547 and to include extraneous material thereon.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my legislation, H.R. 2547, the Comprehensive Debt Collection Improvement Act. H.R. 2547 is a package of bills designed to bring new protections, fairness, accuracy, and transparency to the debt collection industry. Individuals and families across this country have long struggled with debt, including medical debt, student loan debt, and other debts. They often face difficult decisions regarding how to pay off their debts. During the pandemic crisis, which has harmed all of our communities, debt collectors have earned record profits. Their tactics are often divisive and predatory. Many debt collectors harass consumers with frequent phone calls, make threats, and provide misleading information to consumers. The debt collection industry is also plagued by poor recordkeeping, resulting in many consumers being harassed for debts they do not owe. Debt collection is among the top issues that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau receives the most complaints about from consumers, and those complaints have risen since 2019. This bill, H.R. 2547, brings new accountability to the debt collection industry and stronger protections for consumers from harassment and abuse, including by banning abusive confessions of judgment that have hurt small businesses, prohibiting debt collectors from harassing and threatening servicemembers, barring collection of medical debts from 2 years after the debt is incurred, prohibiting debt collectors from contacting consumers by email or text message without a consumer's affirmative consent, limiting egregious debt collection fees that have disproportionately hurt low-income and minority borrowers, and protecting consumers during a nonjudicial foreclosure proceeding. Taken together, these protections will help the most vulnerable consumers, including servicemembers, student borrowers, people of color, and those struggling under the weight of medical debt during this unprecedented pandemic. None of this is to say that people who owe lawful debts shouldn't pay them, but all Americans deserve to be free from harassment, undue pressure tactics, bullying, false information, threats, coercion, and other bad practices that debt collectors have used with relative impunity. The last time Congress made major updates to Federal laws on debt collection was 1978, over 40 years ago. It is long overdue for Congress to act to provide stronger protections from abusive debt collection for consumers. This comprehensive package includes a number of bills authored by several hardworking members of the Financial Services Committee, specifically bills sponsored by Representative Velazquez, Representative Dean, Representative Tlaib, Representative Pressley, Representative Cleaver, Representative Meeks, and Representative Auchincloss. I would like to thank all of them for their work on these bills, their contributions to this legislative package, and their leadership on these important reforms that will provide desperately needed relief and protection to consumers. I would urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.