John, did you know that 80% of Americans have debt?
Despite this fact — and despite the fact that being in debt is a very common experience — our country chooses to punish these folks, even though many of them took on debt to get an education, to have a place to live, or to just survive.
That's why I'm proud to share that I successfully introduced an amendment on the House floor last week to prohibit debt collectors from contacting borrowers on social media without their explicit permission. The amendment was adopted into Rep. Maxine Waters' Debt Collection Improvement Act, which then passed the House.
Debt collectors today can use virtually any means available to harass borrowers — even in the middle of a global pandemic that has taken nearly 600,000 Americans' lives, increased unemployment, and left millions unsure of how they'll put enough food on the table.
That's why I'm such a vocal proponent for canceling debt like student loans — and why I worked with Rep. Waters to pass this legislation. If this legislation becomes law, we can finally expand and enhance borrower protections with respect to debt collection practices.
The legislation also begins to undo the idea that the punishment and shame should be on the folks who take on the debt — because it shouldn't. The shame should be on the very policies that incentivize debt, predatory behavior in debt collection, and on the lack of protections in place for borrowers.
Thanks for all your support, John. Peace and love,
Jamaal Bowman
