Floor SpeechBipartisan2026-02-05

Introductory Statement on S. 3793

EconomyTaxesEnvironmentDefenseTradeHousingVeterans

Context

On 2026-02-05, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) delivered a floor speech titled "Introductory Statement On S. 3793" in the Senate. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, the environment. It referenced legislation including S3793, S511, S512.

Full Text

Introductory Statement on S. 3793

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S511-S512] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Smith, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Welch, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Booker): S. 3793. A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to extend the consumer credit protections provided to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents under title 10, United States Code, to all consumers; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Predatory Lending Elimination Act along with many of my colleagues. This important legislation would extend the bipartisan Military Lending Act, MLA, protections for Active-Duty servicemembers and their families to all Americans by imposing a nationwide 36 percent cap on the annual percentage rate, APR, for most extensions of consumer credit. The MLA was enacted on a bipartisan basis in 2006 to rein in payday and other unscrupulous lenders that targeted American troops with abusive and predatory loans. Unfortunately, the MLA does not protect veterans or Gold Star families from these exploitative practices. Servicemembers and [[Page S512]] their families should not lose important consumer protections simply because they retire, separate from honorable service, or lose their loved ones. Frankly, all Americans deserve to be shielded from these kinds of predatory loans, and that is just what our bill does. Hundreds of millions of American consumers could benefit from a 36- percent APR cap. In States that do not have such a cap, predatory lenders can offer loans with triple-digit APRs that trap individuals in cycles of debt. For instance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that 80 percent of payday loans are rolled over or renewed within 2 weeks. This practice can subject borrowers not just to high nominal interest rates but also to high fees that can quickly surpass the amount of money originally borrowed. These are hallmarks of predatory lending and poor underwriting. According to a coalition of community organizations, payday lenders are known to target the most vulnerable, including seniors, veterans, and low-income borrowers. Many in these communities are already struggling to make ends meet as they navigate the President's tariffs and stubbornly high prices, and are continuing to pay exorbitant APRs may cause them to fall deeper into economic insecurity. This is why it is important to extend strong protections against unscrupulous lenders to all Americans. The MLA's successful track record demonstrates that providing reasonable, responsible limits on interest rates does not cut off consumers' access to credit. According to a May 2021 report from the Department of Defense, ``credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans are widely available at risk-based rates under the 36 percent [military] APR'' and ``[s]ervice members continue to have ample access to necessary credit.'' Moreover, this legislation would follow the trend in many States towards greater protections against predatory loans. Nineteen States and the District of Columbia have enacted 36 percent APR caps or banned payday loans. Lenders in these States have incentives to offer more affordable loans that borrowers have an ability to repay. The same incentives should apply across the Nation. I thank the 176 consumer advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, veteran service organizations, and trade associations that support this bill, including the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients, the Center for Responsible Lending, Americans for Financial Reform, Amalgamated Bank, the Military Officers Association of America, and the National Military Family Association. I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this important legislation. ______

Referenced legislation: S3793

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Introductory Statement on S. 3793 Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)] [Senate] [Pages S511-S512] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Merkley, Mr. Padilla, Mr. Schatz, Ms. Smith, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Warnock, Mr. Welch, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Booker): S. 3793. A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to extend the consumer credit protections provided to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents under title 10, United States Code, to all consumers; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I am reintroducing the Predatory Lending Elimination Act along with many of my colleagues. This important legislation would extend the bipartisan Military Lending Act, MLA, protections for Active-Duty servicemembers and their families to all Americans by imposing a nationwide 36 percent cap on the annual percentage rate, APR, for most extensions of consumer credit. The MLA was enacted on a bipartisan basis in 2006 to rein in payday and other unscrupulous lenders that targeted American troops with abusive and predatory loans. Unfortunately, the MLA does not protect veterans or Gold Star families from these exploitative practices. Servicemembers and [[Page S512]] their families should not lose important consumer protections simply because they retire, separate from honorable service, or lose their loved ones. Frankly, all Americans deserve to be shielded from these kinds of predatory loans, and that is just what our bill does. Hundreds of millions of American consumers could benefit from a 36- percent APR cap. In States that do not have such a cap, predatory lenders can offer loans with triple-digit APRs that trap individuals in cycles of debt. For instance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that 80 percent of payday loans are rolled over or renewed within 2 weeks. This practice can subject borrowers not just to high nominal interest rates but also to high fees that can quickly surpass the amount of money originally borrowed. These are hallmarks of predatory lending and poor underwriting. According to a coalition of community organizations, payday lenders are known to target the most vulnerable, including seniors, veterans, and low-income borrowers. Many in these communities are already struggling to make ends meet as they navigate the President's tariffs and stubbornly high prices, and are continuing to pay exorbitant APRs may cause them to fall deeper into economic insecurity. This is why it is important to extend strong protections against unscrupulous lenders to all Americans. The MLA's successful track record demonstrates that providing reasonable, responsible limits on interest rates does not cut off consumers' access to credit. According to a May 2021 report from the Department of Defense, ``credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans are widely available at risk-based rates under the 36 percent [military] APR'' and ``[s]ervice members continue to have ample access to necessary credit.'' Moreover, this legislation would follow the trend in many States towards greater protections against predatory loans. Nineteen States and the District of Columbia have enacted 36 percent APR caps or banned payday loans. Lenders in these States have incentives to offer more affordable loans that borrowers have an ability to repay. The same incentives should apply across the Nation. I thank the 176 consumer advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, veteran service organizations, and trade associations that support this bill, including the Consumer Federation of America, the National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients, the Center for Responsible Lending, Americans for Financial Reform, Amalgamated Bank, the Military Officers Association of America, and the National Military Family Association. I urge our colleagues to join us in supporting this important legislation. ______ Referenced legislation: S3793