Chamber Pushing Bankruptcy Reform

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging Congress to pass a consumer bankruptcy reform bill early this year before the legislators get involved in more "divisive" issues."Bankruptcy reform, a longstanding business priority, should finally be completed to stop abuses that have allowed debtors who have the ability to pay to walk away from their obligations," Chamber president and chief executive Thomas Donahue said at a news conference. The CoC is urging the White House and congressional leaders to complete unfinished legislative business from last year by quickly passing bills that address bankruptcy reform, class-action lawsuit abuses, energy policies, highway construction funding, and tax-cut extensions. House Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner Jr., R-Wis., is expected to introduce his bankruptcy reform bill soon.