GOP U.S. Sen. Toomey objected to the bill. Editor’s note: This article is available for members only.
3/18/2021 14:00
U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., objected to a bill from Senate Democrats that sought to add garnishment requirements to stimulus payments in the American Rescue Act Thursday—preventing it from moving forward in Congress.
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., senior member of both the Senate Banking and Finance committees, introduced the legislation cosponsored by Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md, aimed at private debt collectors.
Although, as ACA International explained in a letter to Congress, it is more of a bank issue.
Toomey was able to object to the bill on the Senate floor Thursday.
“Under the Senate’s rule any one senator can try to set up a vote or pass a bill, but any one senator can similarly object,” according to The Hill.
Toomey, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, said that “the legislative fix supported by Wyden and Brown would prevent the money from going to individuals that a court has already determined should see the payment,” according to The Hill
"How about the deadbeat dad not paying his child support?” Toomey said in the article.
ACA continues to work closely with Senate staff to educate them that the debt collection industry is not actively targeting stimulus checks.
“ACA members are working hard to contact consumers to set up flexible payment plans that bridge that gap and fit the needs of everyone involved. Our member companies are uniquely trained to access emergency hardship programs and help during difficult times, such as what we are experiencing with COVID-19,” said ACA CEO Mark Neeb. “They are not targeting stimulus payments and, in fact, would have no ability to know if a consumer had one deposited into their bank account. Banks and creditors can work with their customers to protect stimulus payments, and ACA supports their efforts to work with those directly impacted by COVID-19.”
ACA also took its advocacy on working with consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic—and beyond—to Congress, sharing a letter with House and Senate leaders that clarifies that debt collectors are not seeking to target these funds, ACA previously reported.