Pulaski Times

Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) have introduced the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act, aimed at protecting the credit scores of Americans who have been held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. This initiative follows similar legislation recently introduced in the Senate by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE).

Rep. Hill emphasized the importance of easing the transition for these individuals upon their return: “Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad already have so much to worry about when they arrive home after this unimaginable situation. I thank my colleague Rep. Gottheimer for joining me in leading our legislation that makes it easier for these Americans to get their lives back on track and some sense of normalcy.”

Rep. Gottheimer echoed these sentiments, stating, “After being held for days, weeks, and months by terrorists and our adversaries, facing unimaginable horrors, and making it home, the last thing Americans should have to worry about is a hit to their credit score. That's why I'm proud to lead the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act with my colleague Congressman French Hill.”

Senator Tillis highlighted the financial challenges faced by returning hostages: "It’s crazy to think an American held hostage in a foreign nation could return to a ruined credit score and financial turmoil because of their inability to make timely payments. This commonsense legislation ensures that Americans wrongfully detained abroad can move forward without worrying about how a poor credit score impacts their financial future.”

Senator Coons also expressed his support: “Americans who have been wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad shouldn’t have to worry about their credit score when they come home, and the Fair Credit for American Hostages Act will ensure they don’t have to. I applaud Representatives Hill and Gottheimer for introducing this critical, bipartisan legislation in the House, and I’ll continue to support American hostages and their families when they come home.”

The bill, H.R. 9830 - Fair Credit for American Hostages Act, requires credit bureaus to remove adverse information from the period of detention if authenticated documentation is provided by former detainees or hostages.