hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Reinstates protections against debt collectors charging payment fees.
Senator Alsobrooks
In Senate, discharged from committee, on calendar for vote.
This bill aims to block a rule from the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) that removed consumer protections against "pay-to-pay" fees by debt collectors. If passed, it would essentially bring back the original rule that regulated these fees. Senator Alsobrooks introduced the bill, and it has bypassed the typical committee process to be directly scheduled for a vote in the Senate after a petition.
Introduced Mar 17, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate by Ms. Alsobrooks on March 17, 2026. It was initially sent to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. However, on April 27, 2026, it was discharged from the committee via a petition and is now placed on the Senate calendar, meaning it's ready for a vote by the full Senate. To become law, it would also need to pass the House and be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, debt collectors would likely be unable to charge you additional fees just for making a payment, such as a fee for paying online or over the phone. This could lead to individuals saving money when repaying their debts. Essentially, it would restore consumer protections related to these specific payment processing charges within debt collection practices.
Supporters Say
Supporters say it protects consumers from unfair debt collection payment fees.
Critics Say
Critics might argue collectors need to cover costs for payment processing.
This joint resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process, allowing Congress to overturn federal agency rules. Supporters typically advocate for using this power to protect consumers from practices they deem harmful or unfair. Critics often argue against such legislative interference, suggesting that agencies like the BCFP are best equipped to make these regulatory decisions or that businesses need to recover operational costs.