payday puppets - alliedprogress.org · shelby - senior master sgt. adrian cadiz. sessions - scott...

APRIL 2018

PAYDAY PUPPETSHow More Than A Dozen Members of the U.S. House and Senate Were Showered with Thousands of Dollars in Campaign Cash by Payday Lenders Within Days of Taking Official Action to Benefit the Industry

FLICKR PHOTOS: HENSARLING, YODER - GAGE SKIDMORE. HASTINGS - CLIFF1066. CRAPO - CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST F. JULIAN CARROLL. SHELBY - SENIOR MASTER SGT. ADRIAN CADIZ. SESSIONS - SCOTT ELLIS WWW.VSELLIS.COM.

Payday Puppets � Page 1 of 32

EXECUTIVESUMMARYBilledbyitspurveyorsasa“quickcash”solutionforlife’sunexpectedfinancialemergencies,paydaylenderspeddlethismodern-daysnakeoilto12million1hardworkingmenandwomeneachyear.Fortoomany,acycleofseeminglyinescapabledebtfollows.Theyhavefallenvictimtoanindustrythathas used harassment, intimidation, and threats to keep that cycle spinning for this $46 billion2industry.WhentheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau(CFPB)wascreatedin2010aspartoftheDodd-FrankWallStreetReformandConsumerProtectionAct,itwaschargedwithoverseeingthepaydaylending industryamongother responsibilities.34Justa fewyears later, theCFPBreleasedstartlingresearchdetailingthedamagingeffectspaydaylendinghasonthefinancialwellbeingofconsumers.5Itfound:

• Only15%ofpayday loanborrowersareable to repaytheir loanson time.Theremaining85%eitherdefaultortakeoutanewloantocoveroldloan(s).

• More than80%of payday loan borrowers rolled over (renewed) their loans into anotherloanwithintwoweeks.

• Morethanone-in-fivenewpaydayloansendupcostingtheborrowermoreinfeesthanthetotalamountactuallyborrowed.

• Halfofallpaydayloansareborrowedaspartofasequenceofatleasttenloansinarow.It is findings like these that propelled the CFPB to carefully consider overa number of years andeventually promulgate a tough new rule designed to protect consumers from payday lendingindustry-induceddebtcycles.Theseimportantsafeguardsarenowunderattackbypaydayindustry-backed politicians in Congress and CFPB “Acting Director” Mick Mulvaney who took more than$60,000 in campaign cash from payday lenders6before his legallydubiousinstallationbyPresidentTrumpinNovemberof2017.7ThisdebtcyclebeingaddressedbytheCFPBispurposeful. It isbydesign. That’s how payday lenders make their money. As DanielFeehan, then-president and CEO of payday lender Cash America,admittedata2007conference,“[t]hetheoryinthebusinessis[that]you’vegottogetthatcustomerin,worktoturnhimintoarepetitivecustomer, long-term customer, because that’s really where theprofitabilityis.”8In fact, an internal company training manual for payday lendinggiantACECashExpressdepictingthecycleofapaydayloandubbedit, “The Loan Process.”910Using a circular graphic that resembles an image commonly used forrecycling,themanualshowsaconsumertakingoutaloanwithACE,spendingallofthemoney,nothavingtheabilitytorepaytheloan,andtheneithertakingoutanotherloanwithACEorhavingtheiraccountsenttocollectionsandreturningtothebeginningofthecyclebytakingoutanewpaydayloanfromACEtogettheiraccountoutofcollections.For most payday loan borrowers, this isn’t about a one-time loan to help cover an unforeseenfinancial emergency. Research from The Pew Charitable Trusts found most payday loans (nearly1"PaydayLendinginAmerica:WhoBorrows,WhereTheyBorrow,andWhy,"ThePewCharitableTrusts,7/19/122MandiWoodruff,"The$46billionpaydaylendingindustryisinforabigblow,"Yahoo!Finance,2/10/153NickBourke,"MeaningfulPaydayLoanReformIsWithinReach,"ThePewCharitableTrusts,7/21/154ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau,PressRelease,3/25/145CFPBDataPoint:PaydayLending,TheCFPBOfficeofResearch,3/146OpenSecretssearchforPaydayLenders,CenterforResponsivePolitics,accessed12/13/17.7“Englishv.Trump,”Gupta/Wessler,accessed3/5/18.8ThomasB.Edsall,"MakingMoneyOffthePoor,"TheNewYorkTimes,9/17/139ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau,PressRelease,7/10/1410DanielleDouglas,“PaydaylenderAceCashExpresstopay$10millionoverdebt-collectionpractices,”TheWashingtonPost,7/10/14


70%) are used to cover recurringeverydayexpenses like a utility bill or food,while only 16%ofloansareusedtocoverunexpectedexpenses.11That’s exactlywhat payday lenders are counting on – customerswho are already having troublemeeting their day-to-day living expenseswho then take out a payday loan only to find it nearlyimpossibletopayoffontimewithouttakingoutanewpaydayloan,andthuskickingofforextendingthecycleofdebt.ItisnowonderthatPewalsofoundAmericansfavormoreregulationofthepaydaylendingindustrybyamarginof3-to-1.12That,alongwiththeimpactthesefinancialproductshaveonconsumersmayexplainwhytheCFPBultimatelyfinalizeditsthoughtfullyconsidered,toughnewruletoreignintheworstabusesofpaydaylenders.13InadditiontothebroadsupportforreformfoundinPew’sresearch,abipartisanpollconductedonbehalfoftheCenterforResponsibleLendingfoundthatamere10%ofAmericanshadafavorableopinionofpaydaylenders.14Inthefaceofsuchdismalpollingnumbers,onewouldn’texpecttoseesomanyMembersofCongressgoingtobatforsuchanunsavoryandwildlyunpopularindustry.But payday lenders have been preparing for this regulatory fight since the CFPB’s inception. Theindustrywieldstremendouspowernotonlyoverthoseit isabletoensnarewithitsriskyfinancialproducts,butalsoovertheleversofpowerinWashington.AccordingtoanalysisconductedbyCenterforResponsivePolitics, over the years payday lendershavegiven nearly $13million in campaigncontributions15toincumbentmembersofandcandidatesfortheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesandU.S.Senate–theindustryhasalsospentmorethan$63.5millionlobbyingthesebodies.16WhatarethesepaydaylendershopingtoaccomplishbyspendingsolavishlytolobbyCongressandshowerthesepowerfullegislatorswithsomuchcampaigncash?This report details how more than a dozen members of Congress from both parties receivedsignificant campaign contributions from payday lending industry executives and political actioncommittees(PACs)justbeforeorsoonaftertakingofficialactionsthatbenefitedtheindustry.Takenasawhole,thetimingofthesecontributionsraisesaseriousquestionofwhethertheyweremadeasaquidproquoforofficialaction.Itisourhopethattheseriousquestionsraisedbyilluminatingthesuspicious,evencrasstimingofindustrycontributionsandofficialactionstaken,willleadtofurtherinvestigationanddiscussionoftheseimportantissues.11"PaydayLendinginAmerica:WhoBorrows,WhereTheyBorrow,andWhy,"ThePewCharitableTrusts,7/19/1212CFPBProposalforPaydayandOtherSmallLoans,ThePewCharitableTrusts,7/28/1513ConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau,PressRelease,10/5/1714BipartisanSupportforFinancialRegulationandEnforcement,LakeResearchPartnersandChesapeakeBeachConsulting,1/22/1515OpenSecrets.orgSearchfor“PaydayLenders:MoneytoCongress,”CenterforResponsivePolitics,accessed3/12/18.16OpenSecrets.orgSearchfor“PaydayLendersAnnualLobbying,”CenterforResponsivePolitics,accessed3/12/18.


NOTEWORTHYFINDINGSThisreportincludesnumerousotherexamplesofsuspiciouslytimedcampaigncontributions.

• Sen.RichardShelby(R-AL):Acceptedatleast$46,250fromthepaydaylendingindustryinthedaysbeforeandaftertakingofficialactionstohelptheindustry.

• Sen.MikeCrapo(R-ID):Twodaysaftertaking$1,000fromapaydaylendingindustryPAC,

Crapo voted against an amendment "thatwould create a deficit-neutral reserve fund" to"ensure the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has the authority and autonomy toprotectconsumersfrompredatorylending."

• Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA): Two days after joining Crapo in voting against theaforementioned amendment, Toomey took $10,000 from the payday lending industryfollowedbyanother$3,000inthefivedaysfollowinghisvote.

• Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC): Just days after voting against an amendment that would "banindividualsconvictedoffraudrelatedtofinancialtransactions,includingpredatorylendingto veterans, from generally advertising or soliciting non-publicly traded securities," Scotttook$2,000fromapaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.AlceeHastings(D-FL):Hastingsroutinelytakesactionstobenefitthepaydayindustrywithindaysoftakingtheircampaigncash.Caseinpoint,inthedaysafterauthoringanop-eddefending the payday lending industry in the conservative Washington Examiner, hereceived$20,000incampaigncontributionsfromtheindustry.

• Rep.JebHensarling(R-TX):ThepowerfulchairoftheHouseFinancialServicesCommittee

voted to cap funding for the CFPB and require it to “consult” with bubreau-regulatedindustries “before implementing new rules.” The next day, Hensarling received $5,200 incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.WillHurd(R-TX):Daysafterco-sponsoringlegislationtorepealthelawthatcreatedtheCFPB,whichregulatespaydaylenders,Hurdreceived$2,700incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.BlaineLuetkemeyer(R-MO):Oneofthepaydaylendingindustry’sfavoritemembers

of Congress, Rep. Luetkemeyer often takes actions to benefit the industrywithin days oftakingitscampaigncash.Forexample,hereceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustrybeforevotingtocrippletheCFPBabilitytoholdindustrieslikepaydaylendersaccountable.

• Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC): The week after sending the CFPB a letter “expressing

concern” over the bureau’swork to rein in theworst abuses of the payday industry, Rep.McHenryreceiveda$2,000campaigncontributionfromapaydaylendingindustryPAC.

• Rep.GregoryMeeks(D-NY):Afterco-sponsoringabillthatwouldallowpaydaylendersto

charge annual interest rates up to 391 percent, Rep.Meeks received $2,500 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM):Four daysafter sendinga letter to theAttorneyGeneral and

FDICprotestingOperationChokePoint, aDepartmentof Justiceeffortopposedbypaydaylenders that targeted unscrupulous lending practices, Rep. Pearce received $2,000 incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.


• Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME):Within days of voting to cap funding for the CFPBwhichregulates payday lenders and requiring the bureau to consult with bureau-regulatedindustry before implementing new rules, Rep. Poliquin received $3,500 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.EdRoyce(R-CA):ThreedaysaftervotingtoweakentheCFPBbysubjectingitsfunding

toadditionalbureaucratic red tape,Rep.Roycereceived$3,000 incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.Pete Sessions (R-TX):Threedaysbeforevotingfor legislationdesignedtoundercut

Operation Choke Point, a Department of Justice effort opposed by payday lenders thattargeted unscrupulous lending practices, Rep. Sessions received $3,500 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.SteveStivers(R-OH):ThedayaftersendingalettertotheCFPB“expressingconcern”

over the bureau’swork to rein in theworst abuses of the payday industry, Rep. Stiversreceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.

• Rep.KevinYoder(R-KS):NomemberofCongresshastakenmoremoneyfromthepayday

lendingindustrythanRep.Yoder.Theinvestmenthaspaidofftimeandagain.AftervotingtocrippletheCFPBabilitytoholdindustries likepaydaylendersaccountablebychangingitsstructure, Yoder received $5,000 in campaign contribution from the payday lendingindustry.

• FormerRep.andCFPB"ActingDirector"MickMulvaney:Adishonorablemention,threedaysbeforesendingalettertotheCFPB“expressingconcern”overthebureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry,then-Rep.Mulvaneyreceived$9,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.Inthedayspriortoandfollowingtheletter,Mulvaney received a total of at least $18,800 in campaign contributions from paydaylenders.


Sen.RichardShelby(R-AL)EXAMPLE 1. Sen. Shelby received over $50,000 in campaign contributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustrysurroundingavoteagainstanamendmentthat sought toensure theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau (CFPB)had“theauthorityandautonomytoprotectconsumersfrompredatorylending.”OnMarch26,2015,Sen.RichardShelby (R-AL)votedagainstanamendment "thatwouldcreateadeficit-neutral reserve fund" to "ensure the CFPB has the authority and autonomy to protectconsumers from predatory lending" and other abusive "practices in the financial marketplace."17Earlierthatmonth,hereceived$46,250incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry;aweekandahalfafterthevote,hereceivedanadditional$5,000.18Recipient Donor Amount DateShelbyforU.S.Senate ACECashExpress $5,000 3/2/15ShelbyforU.S.Senate ChecksmartFinancial

LLCPAC$5,000 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Wolfberg,Robert(PLSFinancial)

$2,700 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Bassford,DennisJ.(MoneytreeInc.)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Bassford,DennisJ.(MoneytreeInc.)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Hodges,MichaelL.(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Hodges,MichaelL.(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Hodges,TinaK.(AdvanceAmerica)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Hodges,TinaK.(AdvanceAmerica)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Jones,JohnBailey(ChecksIntoCash)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate MacKechnie,Ian(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate MacKechnie,Jean(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Pendergrass,CourtneyE.(CheckIntoCash)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Rawle,Todd(CommunityChoiceFinancial)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Rawle,Tracy(CheckCity)

$2,500 3/2/15

ShelbyforU.S.Senate PlsGoodNeighborPAC $2,500 3/2/15ShelbyforU.S.Senate Wolfberg,Robert(PLS

Financial)$1,050 3/2/15

TOTAL $46,250

17CQVoteReport,SConRes11,CongressionalQuarterly,03/26/15;S.Amdt.842toS.Con.Res.11,SenateVote117,03/26/1518FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendercontributionstoRichardShelby,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/17


Recipient Donor Amount DateShelbyforU.S.Senate CommunityFinancial

ServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$5,000 4/07/15

TOTAL $5,000 EXAMPLE 2. Sen. Shelby received nearly $6,000 in campaign contributionsfrom the payday lending industry in the days following a vote on anamendment he authored that included “dangerous carve outs for paydaylenders”fromstrongconsumerprotectionoversight.InMay 2010, Sen. Shelby introduced an amendment that President Obama said "''wouldweakenconsumerprotectionoversight'"and include "'dangerouscarveouts forpayday lenders'andotherfinancialservicesoperations.'"19Inthetwoweeksfollowingthevoteonhisamendment,hereceived$5,800incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.20Recipient Donor Amount DateShelbyforU.S.Senate IntegrityTexas

Funding,LP$2,400 5/20/10

ShelbyforU.S.Senate IntegrityTexasFunding,LP

$2,400 5/20/10

ShelbyforU.S.Senate Aycox,Rod(SelectManagementResources)

$1,000 5/10/10

TOTAL $5,800

19"SenateDemocratsBlockGOPEffortToWeakenConsumerLendingProtection,"TheFrontrunner,05/07/1020FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendercontributionstoRichardShelby,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/17


Sen.MikeCrapo(R-ID)EXAMPLE1. Sen. Crapo received $1,000 incampaign contributions from thepayday lending industry twodaysbefore voting against an amendment thatsought toensure theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau (CFPB)had “theauthorityandautonomytoprotectconsumersfrompredatorylending.”OnMarch26,2015,Sen.MikeCrapo(R-ID)votedagainstanamendment"thatwouldcreateadeficit-neutral reserve fund" to "ensure the CFPBhas the authority and autonomy to protect consumersfrom predatory lending" and other abusive "practices in the financial marketplace."21Two daysearlier,hereceiveda$1,000donationfromthepaydaylendingindustry.22Recipient Donor Amount DateMikeCrapoforU.S.Senate

FinancialServicesPAC $1,000 3/24/15

TOTAL $1,000

21CQVoteReport,SConRes11,CongressionalQuarterly,03/26/15;S.Amdt.842toS.Con.Res.11,SenateVote117,03/26/1522FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendercontributionstoMikeCrapo,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/17


Sen.PatToomey(R-PA)EXAMPLE 1. Sen. Toomey received $10,000 in campaign contributions fromthe payday lending industry two days before voting against an amendmentthat sought toensure theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau (CFPB)had“theauthorityandautonomy toprotect consumers frompredatory lending.”In theweek following the vote, Toomey received an additional $3,000 frompaydaylenders.On March 26, 2015, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) voted against an amendment "that would create adeficit-neutralreservefund"to"ensuretheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureauhastheauthorityand autonomy to protect consumers from predatory lending" and other abusive "practices in thefinancialmarketplace."23Twodaysbefore thevote,he received$10,000 incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.Intheweekfollowingthevote,hereceivedanadditional$3,000.24Recipient Donor Amount DatePatToomeyCampaignCommittee

Webster,William(AdvanceAmerica)

$800 3/31/15

PatToomeyCampaignCommittee

Webster,William(AdvanceAmerica)

$200 3/31/15


Clark,Agartha(MoneytreeInc.)

$1,000 3/30/15


Hodges,Michael(AdvanceFinancial)

$1,000 3/30/15


MacKechnie,Ian(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 3/24/15


AceCashExpress,Inc.PAC

$2,500 3/24/15


ChecksmartFinancialLLCPAC

$2,500 3/24/15


PlsGoodNeighborPAC $2,500 3/24/15

TOTAL $13,000

23CQVoteReport,SConRes11,CongressionalQuarterly,03/26/15;S.Amdt.842toS.Con.Res.11,SenateVote117,03/26/1524FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendercontributionstoPatToomey,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/17


Sen.TimScott(R-SC)EXAMPLE 1. Sen. Scott received $2,000 in campaign contributions from thepaydaylendingindustry justelevendaysaftervotingagainstanamendmentthat sought "to ban individuals convicted of fraud related to financialtransactions, including predatory lending to veterans, from generallyadvertisingorsolicitingnon-publiclytradedsecurities."OnNovember3,2011,thenRep.TimScott(R-SC)votedagainstamendingthe"AccesstoCapitalforJobCreatorsAct" "tobanindividuals convictedof fraudrelated to financial transactions, includingpredatory lending to veterans, from generally advertising or soliciting non-publicly tradedsecurities."2526Eleven days later, he received $2,000 in campaign contributions from the paydaylendingindustry.27Recipient Donor Amount DateTimScottCampaignCommittee

AdvanceAmerica $1,000 11/14/11

TimScottCampaignCommittee

AdvanceAmerica $1,000 11/14/11

TOTAL $2,000 EXAMPLE2.Sen.Scottreceivedhundredsofdollarsincampaigncontributionsfrom the payday lending industry just nine days before voting against anamendmentthatsoughttoensuretheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau(CFPB)had“theauthorityandautonomytoprotectconsumersfrompredatorylending.”On March 26, 2015, Sen. Scott voted against an amendment "that would create a deficit-neutralreservefund"to"ensuretheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureauhastheauthorityandautonomyto protect consumers from predatory lending" and other abusive "practices in the financialmarketplace."28Nine days before the vote, he received $500 in campaign contributions from thepaydaylendingindustry.29Recipient Donor Amount DateTimScottCampaignCommittee

AdvanceAmerica $500 3/17/15

TOTAL $500

25"HousePassesBi-PartisanSmallBusinessBills,"USFedNews,11/04/1126"November2011VoteHistory,"U.S.RepresentativePhilRoe,M.D.,accessed09/26/17andHR2940,HouseofRepresentativesVote827,11/03/1127FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendingcontributionstoTimScott,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/1728CQVoteReport,SConRes11,CongressionalQuarterly,03/26/15;S.Amdt.842toS.Con.Res.11,SenateVote117,03/26/1529FollowtheMoneysearchforPaydayLendingcontributionstoTimScott,NationalInstituteonMoneyinStatePolitics,accessed12/05/17


Rep.AlceeHastings(D-FL)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Hastingsreceived$8,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry in thedaysbefore and after sending theConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a letter “expressing concern” over thebureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry.InSeptember2016,Rep.AlceeHastings(D-FL)sentalettertotheCFPB"expressingconcernabouttheagency'sproposaltoreininpaydaylendingandothershort-termcredit."30Twoweeksearlier,hereceived $5,00031in campaign contributions from the payday lending industry. He received anadditional$3,00032inthemonthfollowinghisletter.Recipient Donor Amount DateHastingsforCongress MacKechnieSr.,Ian

(AMSCOTFinancial)$2,500 09/14/16

HastingsforCongress MacKechnie,Jean(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,500 09/14/16

HastingsforCongress CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$3,000 10/13/16

TOTAL $8,000 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Hastingsreceived$20,000 incampaigncontributions fromthepaydaylendingindustryinthedaysafterheauthoredanop-edpublishedin the conservative Washington Examiner defending the payday lendingindustry.On September 28, 2015, Rep. Hastingswrote an op-ed praising payday loans in the conservativeWashingtonExaminer.33Threeweeks after authoring the op-ed, he received $20,000 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.34Recipient Donor Amount DateHastingsforCongress MacKechnie,Tracy

(AMSCOTFinancial)$1,500 10/19/15

HastingsforCongress Bassford,DennisJ.(IdentifiedbyFollowtheMoney)

$1,500 10/19/15

HastingsforCongress MacKechnie,CatrionaJean(AMSCOTFinancial)

$1,000 10/19/15

HastingsforCongress ChecksmartFinancialLLCPAC

$5,000 10/19/15

HastingsforCongress ChecksmartFinancial $5,000 10/19/1530IanMcKendry,"BipartisanGroupofLawmakersUrgesCFPBtoEaseUponPaydayRule,"AmericanBanker,09/30/1631FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoAlceeHastings,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/06/1732FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoAlceeHastings,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/06/1733AlceeHastings,"Whypaydayloansareinconsumers'bestinterests,"WashingtonExaminer,09/28/1534FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoAlceeHastings,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


LLCPAC HastingsforCongress AceCashExpress $5,000 10/19/15HastingsforCongress PlsFinancialServices

PAC$1,000 10/19/15

TOTAL $20,000


Rep.JebHensarling(R-TX)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Hensarlingreceived$5,200incampaigncontributionsfromthe payday lending industry the day after voting to cap funding for theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) which regulates paydaylenders and requiring the bureau to consult with industry beforeimplementingnewrules.OnFebruary4,2015,Rep.JebHensarling(R-TX)votedtocapfundingfortheCFPBandrequireit"toconsultwithprivate-sectoremployersbeforeimplementingnewrules."35Thenextday,hereceived$5,200incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.36Recipient Donor Amount DateFriendsofJebHensarling

Ahlberg,TrevorL.(CottonwoodFinancial)

$2,700 02/05/15

FriendsofJebHensarling

Ahlberg,TrevorL.(CottonwoodFinancial)

$2,500 02/05/15

TOTAL $5,200 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Hensarlingreceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthe payday lending industry in the days before voting to weaken theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by subjecting its funding toadditionalbureaucraticredtape.On July 15, 2014, threeweeks after receiving $5,000 in campaign contributions from the paydaylendingindustry,37Rep.HensarlingvotedtosubjectCFPBfundingtobureaucraticredtape.38Recipient Donor Amount DateFriendsofJebHensarling

CashAmericaInternationalInc.PAC

$5,000 06/26/14

TOTAL $5,000 EXAMPLE3.Rep.Hensarlingreceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry justdaysbeforevotingtocrippletheConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by changing its structure and allowingCongresstomeddlewithitsfunding.

35JosephLawler, "Housepassesbill targetingCFPB, regulations,"WashingtonExaminer,02/04/15andPeteSchroeder,"HousebillwouldcapCFPBbudget,"TheHill,02/04/15andHR50,HouseofRepresentativesVote64,02/04/1536FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoJebHensarling,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1737FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoJebHensarling,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1738CristinaMarcos,"HouserebuffsbidtolimitcongressionalreviewofCFPB,"TheHill,07/15/14andHR5016,HouseofRepresentativesVote411,07/15/14


On February 27, 2014, Rep. Hensarling voted to weaken the CFPB by subjecting it to theCongressionalappropriationprocess,"replacetheCFPB'ssingledirectorwithafive-memberboard,"and "make iteasier fora council of federal regulators to overrule the CFPB's decisions."39ExpertshavesaidsuchamovewouldhobbletheCFPBand"slide[thebureau]intogridlockandinaction."40Theweekbefore,hereceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.41Recipient Donor Amount DateFriendsofJebHensarling

AceCashExpressInc.PAC

$5,000 02/18/14

TOTAL $5,000

39AlanZibel,"HousePassesBillLimitingConsumerRegulator,"TheWallStreetJournal,02/27/14andHR3193,HouseofRepresentativesVote85,02/27/1440AFLCIOet.alLettertoRepresentative,5/03/1141FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoJebHensarling,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.WillHurd(R-TX)EXAMPLE 1. Rep. Hurd received $2,700 in campaign contributions from thepayday lending industry just two weeks after co-sponsoring legislation torepealthelawthatcreatedtheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau(CFPB)whichregulatespaydaylenders.On July 20, 2015, Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) co-sponsored a bill to repeal "the Consumer FinancialProtectionActof2010,whichestablishedtheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau."42Twoweekslater,hereceived$2,700incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.43Recipient Donor Amount DateHurdforCongress Ahlberg,TrevorL.

(CottonwoodFinancial)

$2,700 08/05/15

TOTAL $2,700

42HR3118,HouseofRepresentatives,07/20/1543FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoWillHurd,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.BlaineLuetkemeyer(R-MO)EXAMPLE 1. Rep. Luetkemeyer received thousands of dollars in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustryinthedaysbeforeandthedayafter sending the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a letter“expressingconcern”overthebureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry.InSeptember2016,Rep.BlaineLuetkemeyer(R-MO)sentalettertotheCFPB"expressingconcernabouttheagency'sproposaltoreininpaydaylendingandothershort-termcredit."44Tendaysbeforesendingtheletter,hereceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry–thedayaftersendingtheletter,hereceivedanother$2,500.45Recipient Donor Amount DateBlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$2,500 09/30/16

BlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee


$2,500 09/19/16

BlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

WorldAcceptanceCorporationPAC

$2,500 09/19/16

TOTAL $7,500 EXAMPLE 2. Rep. Luetkemeyer received hundreds of dollars in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustrytheweekaftervotingagainstanamendmentthatwouldhaveprotectedtheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureau’s(CFPB)abilitytoholdpaydaylendersaccountable.On July 6, 2016, Rep. Luetkemeyer voted against removing a provision from the 2017 FinancialServicesandGeneralGovernmentAppropriationsActthatprohibited"fundsfrombeingusedbytheConsumerFinancialProtectionBureautoenforceregulationsorruleswithrespecttopaydayloans,vehicle title loans or other similar loans."46 47 A week later, he received $500 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.48Recipient Donor Amount DateBlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

FinancialServiceCentersofAmericaInc.PAC

$500 07/13/16

TOTAL $500

44IanMcKendry,"BipartisanGroupofLawmakersUrgesCFPBtoEaseUponPaydayRule,"AmericanBanker,09/30/1645FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBlaineLuetkemeyer,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/06/1746H.R.5485,LibraryofCongress,accessed09/26/1747"July2016VoteHistory,"U.S.RepresentativePhilRoe,M.D.,accessed09/26/17andHR5485,HouseofRepresentativesVote369,07/06/1648FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBlaineLuetkemeyer,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


EXAMPLE 3. Rep. Luetkemeyer received $1,000 in campaign contributionsfrom the payday lending industry four days after voting to weaken theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by subjecting its funding toadditionalbureaucraticredtape.On July 15, 2014, Rep. Luetkemeyer voted to subject the funding for the CFPB to additionalbureaucratic red tape.49Four days later, he received $1,000 in campaign contributions from thepaydaylendingindustry.50Recipient Donor Amount DateBlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

AxcessFinancialServicesInc.PAC

$1,000 07/19/14

TOTAL $1,000 EXAMPLE 4. Rep. Luetkemeyer received $1,500 in campaign contributionsfrom the payday lending industry two weeks after introducing a bill thatwould have reversed actions taken by Congress to protect consumers frompaydaylenders.OnApril15,2013,Rep.Luetkemeyerintroducedlegislationthat"wouldnegateactionsCongressandfederalofficialshadestablished for safeguardingconsumers frompayday lenders."5152Twoweekslater,hereceived$1,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.53Recipient Donor Amount DateBlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

Dasher,Alan(CashbackPaydayLoans)

$1,500 04/30/13

TOTAL $1,500 EXAMPLE 5. Rep. Luetkemeyer received $5,000 in campaign contributionsfrom the payday lending industry before voting to cripple the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) ability to hold industries like paydaylenders accountableby changing thebureau’s structure andmaking itmoreeasilyoverruled.InJuly2011,threeweeksafterreceiving$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry,54Rep. Luetkemeyer voted to replace the CFPB’s directorwith "a five-member oversightpanel"and"makeiteasiertooverturnregulationsimposedbythebureau,"movesthatwouldcripple

49CristinaMarcos,"HouserebuffsbidtolimitcongressionalreviewofCFPB,"TheHill,07/15/14andHR5016,HouseofRepresentativesVote411,07/15/1450FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBlaineLuetkemeyer,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1751HR1566,HouseofRepresentatives,04/15/1352JustinWingerter,"EthicscomplaintagainstRep.KevinYoderallegespay-for-playwithpaydayloanindustry,"TopekaCapital-Journal,10/09/1553FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBlaineLuetkemeyer,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1754FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBlaineLuetkemeyer,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


itsabilitytoholdindustrieslikepaydaylendersaccountable.55ExpertshavesaidsuchamovewouldhobbletheCFPBand"slide[thebureau]intogridlockandinaction."56Recipient Donor Amount DateBlaineLuetkemeyerCampaignCommittee

CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$5,000 06/27/11

TOTAL $5,000

55SeungMinKim,"Housebillrevampsconsumeragency,"Politico,07/21/11andHR1315,HouseofRepresentativesVote621,07/21/1156AFLCIOet.alLettertoRepresentative,5/03/11


Rep.PatrickMcHenry(R-NC)EXAMPLE 1. Rep. McHenry received $2,000 in campaign contributions fromthepayday lending industry theweek after sending theConsumerFinancialProtection Bureau (CFPB) a letter “expressing concern” over the bureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry.InSeptember2016,Rep.PatrickMcHenry(R-NC)sentalettertotheCFPB"expressingconcernaboutthe agency's proposal to rein in payday lending and other short-term credit.”57A week later, hereceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.58Recipient Donor Amount DateMcHenryforCongress CommunityFinancial


$2,000 10/06/16

TOTAL $2,000

57IanMcKendry,"BipartisanGroupofLawmakersUrgesCFPBtoEaseUponPaydayRule,"AmericanBanker,09/30/1658FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoPatrickMcHenry,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/06/17


Rep.GregoryMeeks(D-NY)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Meeksreceived$2,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry after co-sponsoring a bill thatwould allow paydaylenderstochargeannualinterestratesupto391percent.OnFebruary26,2009,Rep.GregoryMeeksco-sponsoredabill thatwouldallowpaydaylenderstocharge annual percentage rates up to 391 percent. Meeks argued that the bill would "provide'options' forpeoplewho, inearlier times, 'wouldcomebackwithouta limb' if they failed to repayloansharksonthestreet."59Threeweekslater,hereceived$2,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.60Recipient Donor Amount DateGregoryMeeksCampaignCommittee


$2,500 03/19/09

TOTAL $2,500

59HR1214,HouseofRepresentatives,02/26/09andEditorial,"391PercentPaydayLoan,"NewYorkTimes,04/12/0960FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoGregoryMeeks,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.StevePearce(R-NM)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Pearcereceiveda$3,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustryjustbeforesendingalettertotheInspectorGeneraloftheDepartmentof Justice(DOJ)askingforaninvestigationintoOperationChoke Point, a DOJ effort opposed by payday lenders that targetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.On October 16, 2014, Rep. Steve Pearce (R-NM) wrote a letter to the Inspector General of theDepartment of Justice requesting an "investigation into the Department of Justice (DOJ) programknown as Operation Choke Point and the DOJ officials and staff involved in its creation andexecution."61The operation aimed to "prevent unscrupulous Internet-based companies – somepayday lenders, for instance – fromgaining access to the banking system through intermediariesknown as third-party payment processors."62Three weeks before sending the letter, he received$3,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.63Recipient Donor Amount DateStevanE.PearceCampaignCommittee


$2,500 09/30/14

StevanE.PearceCampaignCommittee


$1,000 09/24/14

TOTAL $3,500 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Pearcereceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry four days after sending a letter to the AttorneyGeneralandFDICprotestingOperationChokePoint,aDOJeffortopposedbypaydaylendersthattargetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.OnAugust22,2013,Rep.PearcesignedalettertoAttorneyGeneralEricHolderandFederalDepositInsuranceCommission(FDIC)ChairmanMartinGinsburgprotestingOperationChokePoint,aneffortto"preventunscrupulousInternet-basedcompanies,”includingpaydaylenders,“fromgainingaccessto the banking system through intermediaries known as third-party payment processors."64Fourdayslater,hereceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.65Recipient Donor Amount DateStevanE.PearceCampaignCommittee

Taylor,Donna(CheckIntoCash)

$2,000 08/26/13

TOTAL $2,000

61BlaineLuetkemeyeret.al.toMichaelHorowitzet.al.,10/16/1462TheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1463FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoStevePearce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/04/1764BlaineLuetkemeyeret.al.toEricHolderet.al.,08/22/13andCommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaet.al.v.FederalDepositInsuranceCorporationet.al.,Case1:14-cv-00953andTheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1465FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoStevePearce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/04/17


Rep.BrucePoliquin(R-ME)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Poliquinreceived$3,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry the day before voting to cap funding for theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which regulates paydaylenders, and requiring the bureau to consult with industry beforeimplementingnewrules.OnFebruary4,2015,Rep.BrucePoliquin(R-ME)votedtocapfundingfortheCFPBandrequireit"toconsultwith private-sector employers before implementing new rules."66In theweeksbefore andafter voting for the bill, he received $3,500 in campaign contributions from the payday lendingindustry.67Recipient Donor Amount DatePoliquinforCongress Jones,JohnBailey

(CheckIntoCash)$500 01/29/15

PoliquinforCongress AdvanceAmericaCashAdvanceCentersInc.PAC

$1,000 02/05/15

PoliquinforCongress CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$1,000 02/10/15

PoliquinforCongress AxcessFinancialServicesInc.PACINC.PAC

$1,000 02/10/15

TOTAL $3,500

66JosephLawler, "Housepassesbill targetingCFPB, regulations,"WashingtonExaminer,02/04/15andPeteSchroeder,"HousebillwouldcapCFPBbudget,"TheHill,02/04/15andHR50,HouseofRepresentativesVote64,02/04/1567FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoBrucePoliquin,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.EdRoyce(R-CA)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Roycereceived$1,500incampaigncontributions fromthepaydaylendingindustrydaysaftervotingforlegislationdesignedtoundercutOperation Choke Point, a Department of Justice effort opposed by paydaylendersthattargetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.On February 4, 2016, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) voted for a bill thatwaswritten to "effectively stall'OperationChokePoint,'68whichaimedto"preventunscrupulousInternet-basedcompanies–somepayday lenders, for instance – fromgaining access to the banking system through intermediariesknown as third-party payment processors."69 Two weeks later, he received $1,500 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.70Recipient Donor Amount DateRoyceCampaignCommittee

FinancialServiceCentersofAmericaInc.PAC

$1,500 02/18/16

TOTAL $1,500 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Roycereceived$5,000incampaigncontributions fromthepayday lending industry days after voting to cap funding for the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which regulates payday lenders, andrequiringthebureautoconsultwithindustrybeforeimplementingnewrules.OnFebruary4,2015,Rep.RoycevotedtocapfundingfortheCFPBandrequireit"toconsultwithprivate-sectoremployersbeforeimplementingnewrules."71Twoweekslater,hereceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.72Recipient Donor Amount DateRoyceCampaignCommittee


$5,000 02/20/15

TOTAL $1,500 EXAMPLE3.Rep.Roycereceived$3,000incampaigncontributions fromthepayday lending industry three days after voting to weaken the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by subjecting its funding to additionalbureaucraticredtape.

68VictoriaFinkle,"LuetkemeyerTriesAgainonAnti-ChokePointBill,"AmericanBanker,02/06/15;CristinaMarcos,"Housepassesbilltohalt'OperationChokePoint',"TheHill,02/04/16;andHR766,HouseofRepresentativesVote63,02/04/1669TheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1470FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoEdRoyce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1771JosephLawler, "Housepassesbill targetingCFPB, regulations,"WashingtonExaminer,02/04/15andPeteSchroeder,"HousebillwouldcapCFPBbudget,"TheHill,02/04/15andHR50,HouseofRepresentativesVote64,02/04/1572FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoEdRoyce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


OnJuly15,2014,Rep.RoycevotedtosubjectthefundingfortheCFPBtoadditionalbureaucraticredtape.73Three days later, he received $3,000 in campaign contributions from the payday lendingindustry.74Recipient Donor Amount DateRoyceCampaignCommittee

AxcessFinancialServicesInc.PAC

$3,000 07/18/14

TOTAL $3,000 EXAMPLE4.Rep.Roycereceived$1,000incampaigncontributions fromthepayday lending industry after voting to cripple the Consumer FinancialProtection Bureau’s (CFPB) ability to hold industries like payday lendersaccountable by changing the bureau’s structure and making it more easilyoverruled.On July 21, 2011,Rep. Royce voted to replace the CFPB’s directorwith "a five-member oversightpanel"and"makeiteasiertooverturnregulationsimposedbythebureau,"movesthatwouldcrippleitsabilitytoholdindustrieslikepaydaylendersaccountable.75ExpertshavesaidsuchamovewouldhobbletheCFPBand"slide[thebureau]intogridlockandinaction."76Twoweekslater,hereceived$1,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.77Recipient Donor Amount DateRoyceCampaignCommittee

Tillmon,Cassandra(VCFunding)

$1,000 08/03/11

TOTAL $1,000

73CristinaMarcos,"HouserebuffsbidtolimitcongressionalreviewofCFPB,"TheHill,07/15/14andHR5016,HouseofRepresentativesVote411,07/15/1474FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoEdRoyce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1775SeungMinKim,"Housebillrevampsconsumeragency,"Politico,07/21/11andHR1315,HouseofRepresentativesVote621,07/21/1176AFLCIOet.alLettertoRepresentative,5/03/1177FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoEdRoyce,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.PeteSessions(R-TX)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Sessionsreceived$3,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustrydaysaftervotingforlegislationdesignedtoundercutOperation Choke Point, a Department of Justice effort opposed by paydaylendersthattargetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.OnFebruary4,2016,Rep.Sessionsvotedforabill thatwaswrittento"effectivelystall 'OperationChoke Point,'78which aimed to "prevent unscrupulous Internet-based companies – some paydaylenders,forinstance–fromgainingaccesstothebankingsystemthroughintermediariesknownasthird-partypaymentprocessors."79Threedaysprior,hereceived$3,500incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry80andtwoweeksafterthathereceivedanother$2,000.81Recipient Donor Amount DatePeteSessionsforCongress


$2,500 02/01/16

PeteSessionsforCongress

Feehan,Daniel(CashAmericaInc.)

$1,000 02/01/16



$300 02/19/16



$1,700 02/19/16

TOTAL $5,500 EXAMPLE2.Rep. Sessions received $10,600 in campaign contributions fromthe payday lending industry after voting toweaken the Consumer FinancialProtectionBureau(CFPB)bysubjectingitsfundingtoadditionalbureaucraticredtape.OnJuly15,2014,Rep.SessionsvotedtosubjectthefundingfortheCFPBtoadditionalbureaucraticred tape.82Three weeks later, he received $10,600 in campaign contributions from the paydaylendingindustry.83Recipient Donor Amount DatePeteSessionsforCongress

Stuart,Brent(CashAmerica)

$250 08/06/14


Clay,David(CashAmerica)

$250 08/06/14


Feehan,Daniel(CashAmerica)

$2,600 08/06/14

PeteSessionsfor Linscott,Curtis(Cash $1,000 08/06/14

78VictoriaFinkle,"LuetkemeyerTriesAgainonAnti-ChokePointBill,"AmericanBanker,02/06/15;CristinaMarcos,"Housepassesbilltohalt'OperationChokePoint',"TheHill,02/04/16;andHR766,HouseofRepresentativesVote63,02/04/1679TheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1480FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoPeteSessions,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1781FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoPeteSessions,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1782CristinaMarcos,"HouserebuffsbidtolimitcongressionalreviewofCFPB,"TheHill,07/15/14andHR5016,HouseofRepresentativesVote411,07/15/1483FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoPeteSessions,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Congress America)PeteSessionsforCongress

Pepe,Vic(CashAmerica)

$1,000 08/06/14


BessantJr.,Thomas(CashAmerica)

$500 08/06/14



$5,000 08/06/14

TOTAL $10,600


Rep.SteveStivers(R-TX)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Stiversreceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry the day after sending a letter to the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) “expressing concern” over the bureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry.On September 29, 2016, Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) sent a letter to the CFPB "expressing concernabouttheagency'sproposaltoreininpaydaylendingandothershort-termcredit."84Thedayaftersigningtheletter,hereceived$2,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.85Recipient Donor Amount DateStiversforCongress CommunityFinancial


$2,000 09/30/16

TOTAL $2,000 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Stiversreceived$1,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry the week after voting against an amendment thatwould have protected the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB)abilitytoholdpaydaylendersaccountable.On July6,2016,Rep.Stiversvotedagainst removingaprovision fromthe2017FinancialServicesand General Government Appropriations Act that prohibited "funds from being used by theConsumerFinancialProtectionBureautoenforceregulationsorruleswithrespecttopaydayloans,vehicle title loans or other similar loans."8687The week prior, he received $1,000 in campaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.88Recipient Donor Amount DateStiversforCongress CashAmerica

InternationalInc.PAC$1,000 06/28/16

TOTAL $1,000 EXAMPLE3.Rep.Stiversreceived$5,200incampaigncontributionsfromthepayday lending industry just days after voting to cripple the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by changing its structure and allowingCongresstomeddlewithitsfunding.

84IanMcKendry,"BipartisanGroupofLawmakersUrgesCFPBtoEaseUponPaydayRule,"AmericanBanker,09/30/1685FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoSteveStivers,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/06/1786H.R.5485,LibraryofCongress,accessed09/26/1787"July2016VoteHistory,"U.S.RepresentativePhilRoe,M.D.,accessed09/26/17andHR5485,HouseofRepresentativesVote369,07/06/1688FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoSteveStivers,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


OnFebruary27,2014,Rep.StiversvotedtoweakentheCFPBbysubjectingittotheCongressionalappropriationprocess,“replacetheCFPB’ssingledirectorwithafive-memberboard,”and“makeiteasierforacounciloffederalregulatorstooverruletheCFPB’sdecisions.”89ExpertshavesaidsuchamovewouldhobbletheCFPBand"slide[thebureau]intogridlockandinaction."90Twoweekslater,hereceived$5,200incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.91Recipient Donor Amount DateStiversforCongress FinancialService

CentersofAmericaInc.PAC

$2,600 03/14/14

StiversforCongress FinancialServiceCentersofAmericaInc.PAC

$2,600 03/14/14

TOTAL $5,200

89AlanZibel,"HousePassesBillLimitingConsumerRegulator,"TheWallStreetJournal,02/27/14andHR3193,HouseofRepresentativesVote85,02/27/1490AFLCIOet.alLettertoRepresentative,5/03/1191FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoSteveStivers,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


Rep.KevinYoder(R-KS)EXAMPLE1.Rep.Yoderreceived$5,100 incampaigncontributions fromthepayday lending industry in thedaysbefore and after sending a letter to theInspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) asking for aninvestigation into Operation Choke Point, a DOJ effort opposed by paydaylendersthattargetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.On October 16, 2014, Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-KS) wrote a letter to the Inspector General of theDepartment of Justice requesting an "investigation into the Department of Justice (DOJ) programknown as Operation Choke Point and the DOJ officials and staff involved in its creation andexecution."92The operation aimed to "prevent unscrupulous Internet-based companies – somepayday lenders, for instance – fromgaining access to the banking system through intermediariesknown as third-party payment processors."93In theweeks before and after sending the letter, hereceived$5,100incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.94Recipient Donor Amount DateYoderforCongress Aycox,Rod(Select

ManagementResources)

$2,600 11/03/14

YoderforCongress CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationofAmericaPAC

$2,500 09/30/14

TOTAL $5,100 EXAMPLE2.Rep.Yoderreceived$4,000 incampaigncontributions fromthepayday lending industry in the days after voting to weaken the ConsumerFinancial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by subjecting its funding to additionalbureaucraticredtape.OnJuly15,2014,Rep.YodervotedtosubjectthefundingfortheCFPBtoadditionalbureaucraticredtape.95Two weeks later, he received $4,000 in campaign contributions from the payday lendingindustry.96Recipient Donor Amount DateYoderforCongress JonesIII,WilliamA.

(CheckIntoCash)$2,000 07/31/14

YoderforCongress Jones,Abby(CheckIntoCash)

$2,000 07/29/14

TOTAL $4,000

92BlaineLuetkemeyeret.al.toMichaelHorowitzet.al.,10/16/1493TheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1494FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoKevinYoder,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/1795CristinaMarcos,"HouserebuffsbidtolimitcongressionalreviewofCFPB,"TheHill,07/15/14andHR5016,HouseofRepresentativesVote411,07/15/1496FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoKevinYoder,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


EXAMPLE3.Rep.Yoderreceived$3,500 incampaigncontributions fromthepaydaylendingindustrydaysaftervotingforlegislationdesignedtoundercutOperation Choke Point, a Department of Justice effort opposed by paydaylendersthattargetedunscrupulouslendingpractices.On February 4, 2016, Rep. Yoder voted for a bill thatwaswritten to "effectively stall 'OperationChoke Point,'97which aimed to "prevent unscrupulous Internet-based companies – some paydaylenders,forinstance–fromgainingaccesstothebankingsystemthroughintermediariesknownasthird-partypaymentprocessors."98Threeweekslater,hereceived$2,700incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.99Recipient Donor Amount DateYoderforCongress Powell,MaryAnn(QC

Holdings)$2,700 02/23/16

TOTAL $2,700 EXAMPLE 4. Rep. Yoder received $5,000 in campaign contribution from thepayday lending industry after voting to cripple the Consumer FinancialProtection Bureau’s (CFPB) ability to hold industries like payday lendersaccountable by changing the bureau’s structure and making it more easilyoverruled.On July 21, 2011,Rep. Yoder voted to replace the CFPB’s directorwith "a five-member oversightpanel"and"makeiteasiertooverturnregulationsimposedbythebureau,"movesthatwouldcrippleits ability to hold industries like payday lenders accountable.100 Experts have said such a movewouldhobbletheCFPBand"slide[thebureau]intogridlockandinaction."101Threeweekslater,hereceived$5,000incampaigncontributionsfromthepaydaylendingindustry.102Recipient Donor Amount DateYoderforCongress Aycox,Rod(Select

ManagementResources)

$2,500 08/11/11

YoderforCongress Aycox,LeslieVail(SelectManagementResources)

$2,500 08/11/11

TOTAL $5,000

97VictoriaFinkle,"LuetkemeyerTriesAgainonAnti-ChokePointBill,"AmericanBanker,02/06/15;CristinaMarcos,"Housepassesbilltohalt'OperationChokePoint',"TheHill,02/04/16;andHR766,HouseofRepresentativesVote63,02/04/1698TheEditorialBoard,"'OperationChokePoint'HitstheMark,"TheNewYorkTimes,10/10/1499FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoKevinYoder,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17100SeungMinKim,"Housebillrevampsconsumeragency,"Politico,07/21/11andHR1315,HouseofRepresentativesVote621,07/21/11101AFLCIOet.alLettertoRepresentative,5/03/11102FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoKevinYoder,FollowTheMoney,accessed12/01/17


DISHONORABLEMENTIONFormerRep.andCFPB"ActingDirector"MickMulvaney(R-SC)EXAMPLE1.Then-Rep.Mulvaneyreceived$18,800incampaigncontributionsfrom the payday lending industry in the days before and after sending theConsumer Financial ProtectionBureau (CFPB) a letter “expressing concern”overthebureau’sworktoreinintheworstabusesofthepaydayindustry.InSeptember2016,Rep.MickMulvaney(R-SC)sentalettertotheCFPB"expressingconcernabouttheagency'sproposaltoreininpaydaylendingandothershort-termcredit."103Inthedayspriortoand following the letter, Mulvaney received $18,800 in campaign contributions from the paydaylending industry, including $9,000 in the three days prior to sending the letter and anothercontributionthedayafteritwassent.104Recipient Donor Amount DateMulvaneyForCongress

MacKechnie,IanAndrew(AMSCOTFinancial)

$2,000 09/19/16

MulvaneyForCongress

Aycox,Rod(SelectManagementResources)

$2,700 09/19/16

MulvaneyForCongress

QCHoldingsPAC $2,000 09/26/16

MulvaneyForCongress

CommunityFinancialServicesAssociationOfAmericaPAC

$5,000 09/26/16

MulvaneyForCongress

WorldAcceptanceCorporationPAC

$2,000 09/27/2016

MulvaneyForCongress

KingJr.,GeorgeM(AdvanceAmerica)

$100 09/30/16

MulvaneyForCongress

CheckSmartFinancialLLCPAC

$5,000 10/10/16

TOTAL $18,800

103IanMcKendry,"BipartisanGroupofLawmakersUrgesCFPBtoEaseUponPaydayRule,"AmericanBanker,09/30/16104FollowTheMoneysearchforPayday/TitleLoanstoMickMulvaney,FollowtheMoney,accessed3/16/18


METHODOLOGYFor the purposes of this study, Allied Progress examined four U.S. Senators and twelveRepresentatives who have taken actions to benefit the payday lending industry within 3 weeks(beforeorafter)ofreceivingcampaigncontributionsfromindustryPACsandemployees.Theofficialactionsreviewedeitherbenefited thepayday lending industrydirectlyorhamperedeffortsby theCFPBorDepartmentofJusticetoholdindustryaccountable.Suchactionsincludedvotes,sponsoringorco-sponsoringlegislation,writingletterstoregulators,andauthoringnewspaperop-edcolumns.MembersSurveyed

• Sen.RichardShelby(R-AL)• Sen.MikeCrapo(R-ID)• Sen.PatToomey(R-PA)• Sen.TimScott(R-SC)• Rep.AlceeHasting(D-FL)• Rep.JebHensarling(R-TX)• Rep.WillHurd(R-TX)• Rep.BlaineLuetkemeyer(R-MO)• Rep.PatrickMcHenry(R-NC)• Rep.GregoryMeeks(D-NY)• Rep.StevePearce(R-NM)• Rep.BrucePoliquin(R-ME)• Rep.EdRoyce(R-CA)• Rep.PeteSessions(R-TX)• Rep.SteveStivers(R-OH)• Rep.KevinYoder(R-KS)• FormerRep.MickMulvaney(R-SC)–CurrentlyCFPB“ActingDirector”

KeyActionsTaken

• VotedforS.Amdt.842toSCR11(2015-16)• VotedforHR50(2015-16)• VotedforHR5016(2013-14)• VotedforHR3193(2013-14)• VotedagainstAmendingHR2940• VotedforHR5485(2015-16)• VotedforHR1315(2011-12)• VotedforHR766(2015-16)• SponsoredorCo-SponsoredHR1566(2013-14)• SponsoredorCo-SponsoredHR1214(2009-10)• Co-SponsoredHR3118(2015-16)• SignedSeptember2016lettertotheCFPB.• SignedAugust2013lettertoAttorneyGeneralHolderandFDICChairmanGinsburg.• SignedOctober2014lettertotheInspectorGeneraloftheDepartmentofJustice.• S.Amdt.3826toS.Amdt.3739(2009-10)• WroteSeptember2015op-edintheWashingtonExaminer.

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