Bill · H.R. 3412· House(119-HR-3412)
Ending Administrative Garnishment Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 5/14/2025
- Last activity
- 5/14/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Ayanna Pressley
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Ending Administrative Garnishment Act of 2025," aims to suspend and reform the Secretary of Education's authority to carry out an administrative wage garnishment program. The authority to garnish disposable pay is suspended upon the bill's enactment until the Secretary submits a specific certification to Congress. This certification requires the implementation of a new process regarding improper garnishments, discretionary suspension powers, and employer verification. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of a centralized database for demographic data of garnished individuals. The legislation also establishes legal liabilities for employers and specific repayment protocols for the Department of Education.
Yes· 3 of 8
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill directly benefits student borrowers by limiting garnishment duration and increasing accountability.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The bill strengthens due process by providing mechanisms for refunds and legal recourse against improper garnishments.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill provides significant financial protections and refunds that benefit low-income borrowers.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The bill restricts the Secretary of Education's existing authority over wage garnishments.
Would business owners be better off under this?-2
Employers face increased legal liability and more rigorous verification requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Refunds for improper garnishments: Individuals who have had their pay improperly garnished could have their money returned within one calendar week (Section 2, paragraph 2, subparagraph A, clause i).
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Financial protection against improper withholding: If the Secretary receives improperly garnished pay, the borrower is to be paid twice the actual amount of the garnished wages within 10 days (Section 2, paragraph h).
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Limits on long-term debt garnishment: The Secretary is prohibited from garnishing the disposable pay of an individual for any loan that has been outstanding for more than 10 years (Section 2, paragraph i).
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Accountability for employers: Employers may be held liable and can be sued to recover amounts improperly withheld after receiving notice of suspension or revocation, including actual damages, attorneys' fees, and costs (Section 2, paragraph g).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Suspension of wage garnishment authority: The authority of the Secretary to garnish disposable pay is suspended upon the enactment of this act until certain certification requirements are met (Section 2, paragraph 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+6Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Business Owners-2
- Education And Technology
- Improves Student Loan Relief+5Improves College Affordability+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power-3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+5
- 5/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.