[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 152 (Friday, September 20, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H7840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             STAND UP FOR CONSUMERS BY SUPPORTING FAIR ACT

  (Mr. BLUMENAUER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, every day, thousands of Americans 
unwittingly sign contracts for nursing homes, credit cards, and 
employment contracts that surrender their rights to their day in court 
before an impartial judge and jury.
  Instead, buried in the fine print of the contract, they agree to rely 
on an arbitrator who doesn't have to follow the law or facts and will 
have every incentive to favor the special interests that could give 
them repeat business.
  Typically, arbitration is not public. The Wells Fargo practice of 
opening unauthorized bank accounts would have undoubtedly been exposed 
and ended sooner if Wells Fargo hadn't enforced mandatory arbitration.
  This is our chance to stand up for consumers, justice, and fairness. 
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1423, the FAIR Act.

                          ____________________