Provisions Would Make Financial Services More Inclusive,
Accessible for Disability Community

Floor Speech (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, applauded the House passage of H.R. 2543 – Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Economic Justice Act, which includes several key amendments championed by Rep. Pressley to advance disability and economic justice.

“The status quo will not change until we recognize that disability rights are human rights and root out the barriers faced by the disability community,” said Rep. Pressley. “My amendments will help make our financial system more inclusive and accessible for our disabled neighbors, and I’m encouraged to see them pass the House today as part of this critical racial justice package. Our work to support the disability community is ongoing and I urge the Senate to take up this critical bill without delay.”

The amendments led by Rep. Pressley would:

• Require certain issuers of securities to disclose the disability status, based on voluntary self-identification, of any of their board of directors or executive officers.
• Require creditors to provide American Sign Language interpretation services to consumers who have indicated that language as a preference.
• Prohibit creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of disability status

Rep. Pressley delivered remarks on the House floor today prior to passage of the legislation. A full transcript is available below and full video is available here.

Transcript: Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Floor Remarks on Disability Justice Amendments
House of Representatives
June 15, 2022

Thank you Mr. Chair. 

For too long, our policies and financial systems have exacerbated inequities and disparities throughout our country. 

I rise in support of our disabled neighbors who have been subjected to a second-class standard of living. 

By passing the Financial Services Racial Equity, Inclusion and Economic Justice Act, the House will move one step closer to addressing these systemic injustices. 

And today, I rise in support of a series of amendments I have offered to advance disability justice.

My amendments will prohibit financial creditors from discriminating against consumers who are disabled and increase access to interpretation services, including American Sign Language. 

My amendment will also hold corporations accountable to disclose the disability status, based on voluntary self-identification, of their board of directors and executive officers. 

The status quo will not change until we recognize that disability rights are human rights and call out and address the barriers the disability community faces. 

I urge my colleagues to support my amendments and support the underlying bill. 

Thank you, I yield back.

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