Sheila Jackson Lee: “I thank the distinguished member of our committee, Mr. Neguse, for his leadership joining with the Senate, and I thank…”

“I thank the distinguished member of our committee, Mr. Neguse, for his leadership joining with the Senate, and I thank him for yielding, Mr. Speaker. This is a fresh start. This is a new opportunity in important bipartisan, bicameral legislation that Mr. Neguse has nurtured and introduced and will ensure, under his leadership, that our bankruptcy system works for the entrepreneurs, small businesses, homeowners, and American families, who are the backbone of this country and of the communities where they live and work. Having the privilege of having served on the Judiciary Committee for some time, I am reminded of the work that we have done, almost like a puzzle putting together a better matrix for the American people to be able to renew their lives even as they may have the necessity of filing for bankruptcy. If there is one fundamental principle of American bankruptcy law, it is the promise of a fresh start, and the fresh start is quintessentially an American idea. It is a promise that even when your best efforts have failed, you are not a failure, and you will have a chance to get back up and try again. It is a promise that your debts will not destroy you. Increasing the debt limit for small businesses electing to file for bankruptcy under subchapter V of chapter 11 to $7.5 million is long overdue. Mr. Speaker, I particularly thank Mr.…”