Frank Lautenberg: “I rise to support the Schumer amendment to the bankruptcy legislation presently before the Senate. The amendment…”

“I rise to support the Schumer amendment to the bankruptcy legislation presently before the Senate. The amendment provides that debts or judgments arising from acts of violence and threats of violence cannot be discharged in bankruptcy proceedings. While this provision was drafted in previous Congresses to specifically apply to reproductive health service providers and abortion clinics, it has been expanded this year with the help of some of our Republican colleagues. The amendment now addresses violence and intimidation aimed at blocking access to any type of lawful good or service. The Schumer amendment now applies to anyone who threatens, intimidates, or harms another person in the course of a lawful practice in places like houses of worship, the workplace and restaurants. I cannot understand how this Senate could could fail to pass an amendment that would simply prevent perpetrators of violence from hiding behind our bankruptcy laws. Where is the justice in permitting such a practice?”