[Page H1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1215
                       PREDATORY DEBT COLLECTION

  (Ms. DEAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, our servicemen and -women deserve more than a 
thank-you. They deserve our support and our protection.
  This week, with unanimous support, we passed H.R. 5003, the Fair Debt 
Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act, to stand up for our troops 
against abusive debt collection practices.
  Many debt collectors have used manipulative practices against our 
soldiers, such as threatening to contact a soldier's superior officer, 
threatening to reduce rank, and threatening to revoke a security 
clearance. If these practices aren't shameful enough, many debt 
collectors have resorted to contacting the soldier's family.
  Soldiers are already under enough stress keeping us safe. The House 
passage of H.R. 5003 sends a clear message that we will protect those 
who protect us, and predator debt collection practices are never 
acceptable.
  I urge the Senate to consider our servicemembers and support H.R. 
5003.

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