Norton Asks Credit Reporting Companies Not to Penalize Federal Employees and Federal Contract Workers for the Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Now that federal employees and federal contract workers do not have to fear a second government shutdown, the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced that she has asked the five major credit reporting companies not consider missed bill payments by federal employees and federal contract workers due to the government shutdown when calculating their credit scores.

"Federal employees and federal contract workers do not deserve to have their credit scores damaged as a result of the failure of Congress and the President to fund the federal government," Norton said. "Congress made clear when it enacted the laws governing credit reporting agencies that the rules should be ‘fair and equitable to the consumer.' Credit reporting agencies should make sure our federal employees and federal contract workers are not further punished for the results of a government shutdown that was no fault of their own."

Norton's full letter is below. (Identical letters were sent to each of the five agencies):

As you know, the recent federal government shutdown has affected hundreds of thousands of federal employees and federal contract workers across the country. Given that most of these employees missed two paychecks, many were likely unable to make certain payments that they otherwise could and would have made. These missed payments could potentially have an adverse impact on their credit scores. I ask that you not factor in delinquent payments resulting from the shutdown when calculating the credit scores of federal employees and federal contract workers. I believe this would fit within Congress' intent that credit scores be adopted in a way that is "fair and equitable to the consumer." See 15 U.S.C. § 1681. Federal employees and federal contractor workers should not be punished because of Congress' and the President's inability to pass appropriations bills.

I appreciate your consideration, and ask that you respond in writing within 30 days.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton