Last night in the Financial Services Committee, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) offered an amendment to the CHOICE Act to restore tools for protecting 9/11 first responders that are being scammed in financial crimes.

“I’m committed to protecting those who put their lives on the line to protect us–and that means making sure first responders are protected from unscrupulous actors who would prey on their financial security,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “My amendment would make sure that first responders are never again left unprotected from financial scams.”

Gottheimer’s amendment would combat first responder scams like that of 9/11 first responders. Financial scammers targeted 9/11 first responders, illegally taking advantage of first responders awaiting compensation through the Zadroga Act for health costs they incurred at Ground Zero and related medical costs, lost income, and other critical needs. Under its authority to go after unfair, abusive acts and practices, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was able to prosecute the scammers and sue for millions of dollars in damages.

Yet, in its current form, the CHOICE Act defangs the CFPB’s ability to take on 9/11 scammers by removing authority to go after unfair, abusive acts and practices and leaves it unable to protect first responders from financial schemes.

The Gottheimer Amendment restores CFPB’s authority to go after unfair, abusive acts and practices to enforce financial crimes against first responders and maintains our country’s commitment to fighting for America’s first responders.

The text of the amendment can be found HERE.

Video of Congressman Gottheimer presenting the amendment can be found HERE.

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