Pelosi Speaks Against Bankruptcy Bill

[sandnsea]

We can't lose sight of the majority who are fighting for us. Light a candle rather than curse the darkness, keep fighting.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke today on the House floor in opposition to Republican legislation that would make it harder for millions of Americans to declare bankruptcy.

“It is our duty to speak up for those who will be hurt by this bill. And this duty is paramount because we have been shut out of the legislative process to bring any amendments to the floor.

“That would have been an amendment on identity theft, which this week’s news accounts demonstrate, is a real problem. A responsible amendment was rejected. We tried to take a legislative course of action in our previous question, which is a procedure here on the floor, but we were unable to get any Republican support to address the issue of identity theft and how individuals can be protected from identity theft under the bankruptcy bill.

“According to the sponsors, the 1.6 million Americans who filed for bankruptcy last year are deadbeats who are avoiding their debts. That’s really the essence of what they are saying with this bill. Proponents claim that there is a ‘bankruptcy tax’ in which honest Americans are footing the bill for abusive users of credit cards.

“We should be vigilant for any abuse of any legal process. There is no evidence, however, of widespread bankruptcy abuse. In fact, a recent study indicated that 45 percent of those filing for bankruptcy had skipped a needed doctor’s visit, 25 percent had utilities shut off, and nearly 20 percent went without food. They are not using this money they should be paying in for luxuries; they simply don’t have money to survive."

Complete Remarks:
http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=932

[thecrow]

1. Tell me again why the minority party needs the majority party

in order to present a bill in Congress??
Aren't they (albeit technically) all working for WE THE PEOPLE?

[sandnsea]

2. Thems the rules

I don't completely understand it. Well, they can introduce legislation, but the majority leader schedules what comes to the floor. And, I believe a bill has to get through committee, which it won't without the majority vote. I guess it's procedural.

[thecrow]

4. I think this is a flaw in our "democracy"

I wonder if this is how the Romans and Greeks did it...
since they were the first cultures to have "democracies" ...?

[Mass]

3. You dont need the majority party to present a bill but

you need them to have the bill considered in comittee and then on the Senate floor.

Good for Pelosi to vote the right way on this bill, and good to see that there are no more Democratic Congresspeople than Senators (in %) that voted for this lousy bill.