[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H1470-H1471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING TRANSGENDER DAY OF VISIBILITY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Transgender 
Day of Visibility.
  I am introducing my bill, the Name Accuracy in Credit Reporting Act, 
legislation that is informed by the lived experiences of transgender 
and nonbinary people throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and 
our country.
  My bill will rectify the inequities and inaccuracies in credit 
reporting, which disproportionately impact transgender and nonbinary 
people.
  During their transition, many transgender people choose to legally 
change their names. However, even after their legal name change is 
finalized, their credit report continues to deadname them, or refer to 
them by their prior name.
  Deadnaming a trans person in their credit report comes with many 
harms to one's mental health and financial well-being. When external 
entities like potential lenders or employers receive the inaccurate 
credit reports, transgender folks are exposed to discrimination and 
harassment in credit services, housing, and employment.
  Further, some trans and nonbinary consumers have reported that when 
they change their name, the credit bureaus fragment their credit 
report, resulting in a loss of credit history and a drop in their 
credit score.
  My bill will improve accuracy in consumer reporting and increase 
access to housing, jobs, and credit for transgender and nonbinary 
people by preventing their unfair denials that result after a name 
change.

                              {time}  1030

  The status quo is unjust, inaccurate, and unsafe for transgender and 
nonbinary people. We know that the credit bureaus can easily make these 
changes. They do this every day when people change their name to get 
married. It is past time that we realize trans justice is economic 
justice.
  My bill has the support of key advocates and trusted voices, but most 
importantly, it is endorsed by transgender and nonbinary people who 
have been impacted by these issues. I am a firm believer that the 
people closest to the pain should be the closest to the power, driving 
and informing the policymaking.
  On this Transgender Day of Visibility, may we, as Members of 
Congress, renew our efforts to condemn transphobia in all of its forms. 
The rhetoric is harmful, the policy is violent, and it stands to harm 
our most vulnerable and marginalized communities.
  May we stand with trans students who deserve to learn in a school 
environment free from hate. May we stand with the parents who are 
raising trans children fighting to make a safer world for them. May we 
stand with the community organizers, movement builders, and status quo 
disrupters who are on the front lines of trans liberation. May we do 
more than espouse the values of equality and freedom but actually 
practice them to include all people.
  When we say Black lives matter, that must include Black trans lives. 
In the fight for human rights, we must affirm that trans rights are 
human rights. When we evoke the words of Fannie Lou Hamer that nobody 
is free until we all are free, that must include our siblings in the 
trans community.
  No doubt, the trans community, our neighbors and loved ones, have 
experienced disparate harm, hardship, and violence. But the transgender 
community is certainly much more than their pain and trauma. I thank 
them for showing up every day as their authentic selves and living 
their lives unapologetically. I thank them for the roles they play 
every day as public officials, as small business owners, as veterans, 
and more.
  This is true across our country, including in my district, the 
Massachusetts 7th.
  Organizers like Tre'Andre Carmel Valentine, who advocates for trans 
and nonbinary folks and has established a leadership academy to create 
new opportunities for employment and education.
  De'zyre Dupree Lewis, who serves as a lead community health worker 
helping residents throughout the district access needed care.
  Armani Pasqual, another leader who is dedicated to transformational 
change and manages a reentry program and combats hunger among those 
experiencing housing insecurity.

[[Page H1471]]

  They, and so many others in the trans community, are rightfully 
taking up space while simultaneously creating space, utilizing their 
talents and skills to shape the Massachusetts 7th and beyond into a 
stronger and more beautiful place to live.
  I am truly humbled to serve as their Congresswoman, and I will never 
stop fighting for bold and intentional policy solutions that promote 
and support their healing, safety, and justice.

                          ____________________