Bill Huizenga
Representative for Michigan · Republican · United States
“{time} 1510 I am also pleased that this bill includes two of my bills: the FDIC Board Accountability Act, which strengthens governance of the FDIC board on behalf of smaller institutions, and the Enhancing Bank Resolution Participation Act, which simply seeks to bring more qualified bidders into failed-bank resolutions when disaster strik…”
“Mr. Speaker, as a small business owner, I have seen it. I have lived it. When community banks disappear, families and small businesses lose the local lenders who know their communities and their customers best.”
“At a time when Americans are struggling with everyday expenses, Washington should not make credit more expensive through needless red tape. H.R. 6955, the Main Street Act, will promote competition. It will expand access to capital and help make life more affordable for American families.”
“According to a New York Fed study--not exactly a conservative institution, I will tell you that--entitled, ``Who Pays the Price? Overdraft Fee Ceilings and the Unbanked,'' the New York Fed says: ``Overdraft fee caps hinder financial inclusion.”
“Although overdraft is one of the most transparent and competitive products available in depository banking, they make up about 2 percent of consumer complaints. How have the banks responded? They have responded by proactively taking steps to promote further transparency in their overdraft products without government intervention.”
“This is a clear example of government knows best, and we know what this is really about. Fewer community banks and credit unions will lead to more consolidation and less options. I believe most Members here share a common goal to ensure financial inclusion, as well as financial literacy and [[Page H1523]] awareness.”
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“At a time when Americans are struggling with everyday expenses, Washington should not make credit more expensive through needless red tape. H.R. 6955, the Main Street Act, will promote competition. It will expand access to capital and help make life more affordable for American families. I thank the chairman both of the full committee as well as our subcommittee, and I urge passage.”
“{time} 1510 I am also pleased that this bill includes two of my bills: the FDIC Board Accountability Act, which strengthens governance of the FDIC board on behalf of smaller institutions, and the Enhancing Bank Resolution Participation Act, which simply seeks to bring more qualified bidders into failed-bank resolutions when disaster strikes. Better oversight and broader participation can protect depositors. It is going to promote competition. It reduces further concentration in the banking system, and I would think, Mr. Speaker, we would want that. However, it appears that some on the other side do not. This package makes it easier to form new banks, strengthens local funding and liquidity, and helps community lenders put more deposits to work financing homes, small businesses, and entrepreneurial dreams.”
“Mr. Speaker, as a small business owner, I have seen it. I have lived it. When community banks disappear, families and small businesses lose the local lenders who know their communities and their customers best. Less competition means fewer financing options, higher borrowing costs, and less investment on Main Street, not Wall Street, as some of my colleagues are trying to assert. This bill lowers unnecessary regulatory costs for community and midsize banks, not those big business center banks on Wall Street and in New York and around the world. In fact, this ends debanking. Mr. Speaker, it restores the flexibility these institutions need to better serve you and your family.”
“Although overdraft is one of the most transparent and competitive products available in depository banking, they make up about 2 percent of consumer complaints. How have the banks responded? They have responded by proactively taking steps to promote further transparency in their overdraft products without government intervention. This includes low-balance alerts, grace periods, and other innovative tools that make sure consumers are protected from unnecessary fees. Financial institutions in my home State of Michigan, who represent roughly 12 million customers and hundreds of billions of dollars in deposits, have shared stories of consumers who use this overdraft strategy to ensure important expenses are paid. Rent, utilities, and medical bills are ultimately paid when a shortfall exists. Mr.”
“This is a clear example of government knows best, and we know what this is really about. Fewer community banks and credit unions will lead to more consolidation and less options. I believe most Members here share a common goal to ensure financial inclusion, as well as financial literacy and [[Page H1523]] awareness. Frankly, this rule isn't going to accomplish that. My friends on the other side of the aisle know it. After the bank failures of 2023, community financial institutions lost consumers and remain at a disadvantage. Again, any rule that leads to greater consolidation in the banking industry only benefits the largest financial institutions in America, a class of banks regularly attacked by Members on the other side, and yet now they are trying to help them.”
“According to a New York Fed study--not exactly a conservative institution, I will tell you that--entitled, ``Who Pays the Price? Overdraft Fee Ceilings and the Unbanked,'' the New York Fed says: ``Overdraft fee caps hinder financial inclusion. When constrained by fee caps, banks reduce overdraft coverage and deposit supply, causing more returned checks and a decline in account ownership among low- income households.'' {time} 1345 Mr. Speaker, I happen to know that because I have represented some of the poorest counties in the State of Michigan in my time in Congress. This is a valuable tool those on the lower end of the economic rung use. After the November election and President Trump won, regulators got the message, for the most part, to stop their rulemaking and put their pens down. However, Director Rohit Chopra couldn't help himself.”
“Mr. Speaker, the Bureau's overdraft rule would implement government price controls over a product that has proven necessary for consumers to make day-to-day purchases. Today, Congress has an opportunity to invalidate this Biden-era rule that, if implemented, would severely impact community banks and local credit unions by restricting the services they can offer, while at the same time depriving millions of Americans of an important financial safety net. According to a 2024 survey, consumers stated that they use overdraft services because they lack credit alternatives. Taking away this backstop, which Americans say they use when in a pinch for food, utilities, and transportation, only further limits the financial options that they have available to them.”
“We would like to thank Jaqua Realtors for more than fifty years of outstanding dedication in Southwest Michigan. This achievement is truly remarkable. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Jaqua Realtors as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. ____________________”
“As a small business owner myself, I can attest that the hard work and dedication of the whole Jaqua family is a true representation of the American Dream. Marking half a century as a family-owned business. Since their founding, ownership has remained in the family. The business is currently under the leadership of Dan Jaqua, who sees the value of maintaining his late father's commitment to the community. Jaqua Realtors is a prominent piece of the Southwest Michigan community. They believe in a hands-on approach to community support and have been extensively philanthropic since their foundation. Jaqua Realtors has contributed to groups such as the Kalamazoo Literary Council, Girls on the Run, and the Greater Kalamazoo United Way.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 2, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E280] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] COMMEMORATING JAQUA REALTORS ______ HON. BILL HUIZENGA of michigan in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Mr. HUIZENGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Jaqua Realtors as they celebrate their 50th anniversary. This achievement represents more than a half-century of service to the people of Southwest Michigan. In 1975, Jaqua Realtors began with a single office in Kalamazoo operated by Chuck Jaqua. Since the doors first opened, Jaqua has opened thirteen more offices across Southwest Michigan.”