A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to the withdrawal of the rule relating to "Debt Collection Practices (Regulation F); Pay-to-Pay Fees".

Mr. President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 381, S.J. Res. 125.

Mr. President, I filed a joint resolution of disapproval to restore the CFPB's existing rule against charging consumers a convenience fee to pay their bills a certain way. Adding these surprise pay-to-pay fees to bills are useless and unnecessary in general but especially in a time when American families are struggling with the growing affordability crisis.

During my time here in the Senate, I have worked to lower costs and fought to make everything from housing to groceries more affordable for Maryland. I am also fighting these unfair fees because our residents have also had to contend with these unfair debt collection practices.

Maryland consumers have now filed nearly 24,000 complaints against debt collection with the CFPB. The CFPB has stood on the side of consumers, creating an advisory opinion to clarify debt collectors' obligations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and explicitly prohibiting debt collectors from charging pay-to-pay fees.

Unfortunately, this administration has chosen the side of making things harder for American consumers by withdrawing this rule. Although underlying statutes like the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act continue to prohibit abusive debt collection practices, this administration's rescission of this guidance signals to bad actors that they may have leeway to charge convenience fees without fear of facing any real consequences from the current CFPB.

That is why I filed a joint resolution of disapproval to restore the CFPB's rule, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Senate Democrats and the CFPB have been committed to protecting working families, and fighting these unlawful fees is another step to making life fairer for all of them.

Vote on Motion to Proceed