LEXIS-NEXIS® Congressional Universe-Document

LEXIS-NEXIS® Congressional

March 16, 1999, Tuesday

SECTION: CAPITOL HILL HEARING TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 252 words

HEADLINE: TESTIMONY March 16, 1999 LOUISE SLAUGHTER REPRESENTATIVE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMERCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW BANKRUPTCY REVISION

BODY:
LOUISE SLAUGHTER For Immediate Release March 16, 1999 Contact: Becky Bailey 202/225-3615 Slaughter Defends Families and Children at Bankruptcy Reform Hearing WASHINGTON--Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) told a House Judiciary Subcommittee that some provisions of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1999 are bad for families and children. H.R. 833, sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman George Gekas (RPA) is meant to tighten bankruptcy laws by forgiving fewer consumer debts. "These provisions ignore the reality that, after bankruptcy proceedings are over, the bankrupt debtor will be left with additional credit card and consumer debt," Slaughter pointed out. "And when aggressive credit card collection agencies are calling, it will be easier to pay them rather than the former spouse or the powerless child." Slaughter, recognized as a leader in the Congress on issues of concern to women and families, implored the panel, "We should not be placing new obstacles in the way of a parent's ability to pay child support." She added, "I support efforts to reform our bankruptcy laws to make debtors responsible for the debt they incur. If we want to reduce bankruptcy rates, we need to attack the root cause, which is the easy availability of enormous lines of consumer credit." Slaughter urged a more balanced approach to bankruptcy reform that will prevent abuses of the bankruptcy system, while allowing good-faith debtors the ability to take care of their families while they deal with their debts.

LOAD-DATE: March 17, 1999