Tax Reform

Floor Speech

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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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