Today, the top Republican on the House Financial Services Committee, Patrick McHenry (NC-10), delivered remarks on the House floor in support of his bill, The Debt Bondage Repair Act. H.R. 2332 will help victims of human trafficking regain their livelihood and recover from the financial harm inflicted by traffickers.
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Watch Republican Leader McHenry’s floor remarks here or by clicking the image above.
Read excerpts of Republican Leader McHenry’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Debt Bondage is a terrible crime, and many victims find themselves trapped in a perpetual cycle of forced labor and coerced debt because of it.
“Earlier this year, the Financial Services Committee held a hearing where we focused on the financing of human trafficking. We heard from powerful witnesses, including Reverend Doctor Marian Hatcher, who is a trafficking survivor.
“Rev. Dr. Hatcher had the courage to tell us her story - and because of it – we now have a bill that will help others.”
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“This simple four-page bill has the potential to help thousands of victims every year by ensuring that a consumer reporting agency may not furnish a credit report with adverse information from a severe form of trafficking.
“While this does not erase the terrible crimes committed against them, it will help victims to regain their financial freedom and begin to rebuild their lives.
“I would like to note that this bill has a very tailored rule making provision.”
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“This is a great example of what happens when both parties work together. We have a bipartisan solution to help trafficking victims pick up the pieces and begin a new life.”
The Debt Bondage Repair Act is supported by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the Consumer Data Industry Association, Shared Hope International, Polaris, and Reverend Dr. Marian Hatcher.
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