Consumer Relief during COVID–19 Act

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 27, 2020

Consumer Relief during COVID-19 Act

This bill places restrictions on the collection of consumer debts during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period and for 120 days after this period. Among other things, debt collectors may not during this period

enforce a security interest through a repossession,

seize assets,

commence or continue an eviction,

terminate utility service, or

charge fees or apply a higher interest rate as a result of nonpayment.

After this period, debt collectors must provide certain repayment options including extending the repayment period for debts.

The bill also provides for forbearance programs established by creditors for consumers experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Federal Reserve Board must establish a credit facility to make long-term, low-cost loans to these creditors for losses caused by any forbearance of payments.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] · D–OH

Committees

Financial Services Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 27, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 27, 2020
Introduced in House
Jul 27, 2020
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jul 27, 2020 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 6800 · The Heroes Act

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Analyze H.R.7796 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.7796, 116th Congress: Consumer Relief during COVID–19 Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7796

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7796/BILLS-116hr7796ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:34:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.7796 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.7796 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss H.R.7796, 116th Congress: Consumer Relief during COVID–19 Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7796

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7796/BILLS-116hr7796ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:34:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7796 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.7796 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7796, 116th Congress: Consumer Relief during COVID–19 Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7796

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7796/BILLS-116hr7796ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:34:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7796 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

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Examine H.R.7796 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.7796, 116th Congress: Consumer Relief during COVID–19 Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7796

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2020-07-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr7796/BILLS-116hr7796ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-03T03:34:37Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.7796 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.