Bill · S. 656· Senate(119-S-656)
Fair Credit for American Hostages Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/20/2025
- Last activity
- 2/20/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Christopher Coons
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 4
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Fair Credit for American Hostages Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It aims to stop consumer reporting agencies from sharing negative information about individuals who were unlawfully detained or held hostage abroad. This protection applies to United States nationals who meet specific criteria regarding their detention or hostage situation. To receive this protection, the individual must provide authenticated documentation regarding their situation. The bill establishes specific definitions for "covered consumers" and the required documentation.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The bill protects consumers from being penalized in credit reports due to financial circumstances caused by unlawful detention or hostage situations.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+5
The bill provides a mechanism to correct credit histories for those subject to extreme circumstances beyond their control.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
By preventing adverse credit items, the bill protects the financial stability of individuals who may have suffered economic hardship during detention.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Credit History: Consumer reporting agencies would be prohibited from furnishing reports containing adverse items of information that occurred while a person was unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad (Section 2(a)(b)). This prevents negative financial information from impacting a person's credit after such an ordeal.
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Targeted Support for US Nationals: The bill specifically protects "covered consumers," which includes United States nationals who have been unlawfully or wrongfully detained or taken hostage abroad (Section 2(a)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
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 Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+5
- 2/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/20/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Susan CollinsRepublican · Maine
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota
Thomas TillisRepublican · North Carolina
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon