Friday, November 15, 2019

Cleaver: I am watching impeachment testimony with thoughtful deliberation that it deserves

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

As I’m sure you are aware, this is a week, unfortunately, that will be written about in American history books for generations to come.

This week, the United States House of Representatives opened public hearings as we uphold the solemn responsibility of investigating whether the President of the United States abused the powers enumerated unto the him by the constitution, and whether or not those offenses rise to the level of impeachment.

The misconduct alleged—that the President bribed and extorted a foreign government into interfering in our presidential election—is of the utmost seriousness for any democracy, and I can assure you I am watching the testimony with the thoughtful deliberation that such a moment deserves. 








I’m hopeful that, as a United States citizen with a say in this outcome, you will give these hearings the attention they deserve and will voice your opinion following the conclusion of testimony from all witnesses, many of which are nonpartisan career public servants.

While I know the impeachment hearings have been a focus of the media, the work of Congress on behalf of the American people has not stopped. I’m proud to let you know that a bill I introduced, the Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act of 2019, was passed unanimously out of the Financial Services Committee this week. This legislation would protect American consumers from predatory debt collection practices by closing federal loopholes and bolstering protections for consumers.

As it currently stands, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) makes it illegal for debt collectors to use abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices when collecting debts from consumers. Unfortunately for American consumers, a major exception in the FDCPA are debt collectors hired by state or federal government entities. One man in Kansas ended up in jail three times because he was unable to pay the growing debt from an unpaid speeding ticket. People in my home state of Missouri have been thrown in jail because they were not able to pay for traffic violations and other minor offenses. I don’t believe the federal government should be held to a different standard when it comes to preying on consumers, and this legislation will close that loophole, ensuring Americans and their credit are better protected.

The bill’s unanimous passage out of committee is a significant step in the legislative process, and a rare sight in such politically divided times. I’m hopeful the Stop Debt Collection Abuse Act will be taken up for a vote on the House floor in the coming weeks, and that it will be able to garner the same kind of bipartisan support from the whole House. Until it does, I will continue my fight to protect Americans from predatory debt collectors.

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