[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2105-S2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               TAX REFORM

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, 6 months into the 118th Congress, the 
tale of two parties continues.
  This week, House Republicans advanced a massive tax package, showing 
precisely where their loyalties lie--in helping large, multibillion-
dollar corporations, Big Oil polluters, and those at the very, very 
top.
  Today, the President is reminding the American people where 
Democrats' loyalties lie--with ordinary families who want to lower 
costs and who have had it with junk fees that nickel and dime people 
every single day.
  President Biden used his State of the Union Address to call out 
companies that exploit consumers through surprise fees on everything 
from credit cards, bank overdrafts, hotel resort purchases, and air 
travel. Today, he is holding a roundtable discussion with companies at 
the White House on the progress they have made in eliminating surprise 
fees.
  I cannot tell you how many times people have come up to me in New 
York, exasperated by junk fees, oftentimes at the last minute. Many 
times, they know nothing about them until they are asked to pay them. 
It is precisely the kind of abuse that frustrates Americans to no end 
and which the Federal Government can address.
  It is why, in the House, I authored legislation to protect Americans 
from surprise expenses on their credit card bills by requiring credit 
card companies to clearly break down all fees and interest rates. They 
call it the ``Schumer Box''--a nickname I am proud has stuck.
  And junk fees are everywhere. You want to switch your cell phone 
company? A termination fee can cost you $250 or something exorbitant 
like that. Many people think the phone companies ask for it so you 
don't switch even if you are dissatisfied with their service.
  You want to book a hotel room listed at $300? Good luck. You will get 
the bill and discover the real price is much higher. More than a third 
of hotel guests have reported paying some kind of hidden fee.
  The kind of abusive behavior from some large companies is exactly 
what Americans want to focus on, and it is the major difference between 
the two parties.
  Republicans think it is best to spend time on cutting taxes for the 
very largest, billion-dollar corporations--that often don't pay their 
fair share--and on stoking the fires of the culture wars.
  But Democrats want to focus on things ordinary families have to deal 
with every single day. We can all relate to the frustration of hidden 
fees. We can all relate to driving to work on dilapidated roads and 
crumbling bridges. We can all look out the window and see that 
wildfires, flooding, and extreme weather events are getting worse and 
harming our communities. These are the issues Democrats have legislated 
on over the past few years, and we are going to keep going.

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