Louisiana’s Kennedy Called on to Defend Consumers in Wake of Equifax Data Breach
Allied Progress Expands Ad Campaign, Encourages Senator to Protect Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Rule on Forced Arbitration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Allied Progress expanded its ad campaign highlighting the Equifax data breach to include Senator John Kennedy (R-LA). The spot encourages the Louisiana Republican to vote against a GOP effort in the Senate to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) rule on forced arbitration. The important rule protects consumers who have been wronged by big banks and financial institutions by allowing them to band together and go to court.
This builds upon a multi-state ad campaign by Allied Progress urging Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Rob Portman (R-OH) to do the same. The buy will now include digital pre-roll ads targeting the constituents of Kennedy and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Consumers are still reeling from the effects of the Equifax data breach that last week lost the personal information of 143 million Americans. The spot, titled “Fine Print,” urges Kennedy to oppose S.J. Res. 47, legislation that would repeal the CFPB’s rule on forced arbitration. It encourages viewers to visit EndForcedArbitration.org or call 1-866-776-2372 to contact Sen. Kennedy to oppose repeal.
“Consumers are going to feel the sting from Equifax’s mismanagement for months – perhaps even years. When consumers are wronged by big banks and other financial institutions, they should have the option to go to court and seek justice. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s arbitration rule ensures they can do just that. Senator Kennedy has already indicated he is undecided on GOP efforts to repeal these important protections. We hope this ad will inspire Louisiana consumers to contact the Senator and let him know where they stand,” said Karl Frisch, Executive Director of Allied Progress.
Conservative support for repealing the rule may be waning — it continues to lose support among conservative groups and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has announced his opposition to repeal.
The 24 initial Senate co-sponsors the repeal effort have taken more than $100 million from the financial sector over the course of their careers, according to an analysis by Public Citizen.
To speak to Karl Frisch about the ad campaign or “Fine Print,” please contact Annette McDermott at 404-545-7558 or annette@alliedprogress.org.
Script for “Fine Print” – 30 Seconds
“It’s hidden in fine print. In loan and credit contracts. Big corporations like Equifax got caught trying to sneak it past you. To strip away your rights, and avoid accountability. It’s called forced arbitration…and Wall Street wants Washington to make it permanent. Lobbying to overturn tough new rules. But when it comes to the fine print, he may have the final say. Senator Kennedy can protect Louisiana consumers. His vote can end forced arbitration.”
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Allied Progress uses hard-hitting research and creative campaigns to stand up to Wall Street and powerful special interests and hold their allies in Congress and the White House accountable.