For this purpose, but it could help, could it not?

Does the report that you are talking about today indicate any trends concerning the prevalence and the impact of predatory lending on our service members?

I think this behavior, if it is targeted to exploit soldiers is absolutely reprehensible.

the department has recommended establishing an interest rate cap of 36 percent for service members and their families.

As a Senator representing more than 115,000 North Carolina-based service members and as a member of both this committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee, this issue is one of my top priorities.

Supporting our service members means more than providing the equipment and training necessary for fighting the War on Terror, Mr. Chairman.

Predatory lending is an abhorrent practice, especially when it takes advantage of our men and women in uniform.

We owe our military personnel a great debt.

In my view, it portrays clearly unacceptable practices on the part of a number of short-term lenders.

We may be at loggerheads on certain things outside the Capitol, but we can work well together inside the Capitol.

I don't think there is sufficient protection for service members.

It doesn't help readiness either, does it?

This is something that I believe we have to address.

I share DoD's concern about service members falling into a cycle of debt whether through inappropriate use of credit cards, payday loans, or other forms of credit.

I believe Congress and DoD must work together to improve the financial literacy of our service members and crack down on abusive and truly predatory practices by any lender.

I think it is easy for us to sit here in a committee room and say that, Well, these military personnel should just forego getting credit.

I appreciate that the Committee is meeting today to address this issue of critical importance.

These men and women play an important role in our defense, obviously, and the view that a number of these practices are directed at them in a whole range of ways, I think is a matter for the considerable concern.