Majority Press Releases
Brown, Reed Raise Concerns on the Growing Risks of the Private Credit Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), raised concerns about the growing risks posed by the private credit market. In a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Vice Chair Michael Barr, the Senators once again urged federal banking regulators to take action to protect savers and consumers from the risks posed by private credit as it grows in size, complexity, and… Continue Reading
December 19, 2024
Brown, Colleagues Urge Clear Process for Renters to Report Issues with Enterprise-Backed Properties
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, along with Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) urged the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to direct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to establish a clear process for renters and local officials to report maintenance, safety, and ot… Continue Reading
December 11, 2024
Chair Brown in Final Committee Hearing: Our Charge is to Put Workers at the Center of Everything We Do
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, held his final hearing titled “Consumer Protection: Protecting Workers’ Money and Fighting for the Dignity of Work.” Brown joined the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee in 2007 during his first Senate term. He became Ranking Member in 2015 and took over as Chair in 2021. Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery follow: When I joined this committ… Continue Reading
October 18, 2024
Following Historic Hurricanes, Brown Requests Information on Flood Insurance Program’s Funding Needs
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, requested information from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) funding and resource needs as it continues to assist those whose homes were damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In a letter to Criswell, Brown asked for information on NFIP’s current claims paying ability, the number of claims already filed and the a… Continue Reading
October 9, 2024
Brown Statement on the Passing of Former Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Tim Johnson
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, offered his condolences to the family of former Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) following the news that he passed away. Brown served on the Banking and Housing Committee with Johnson from 2007 to 2015, including under Johnson’s leadership as Chair of the Committee. “Tim Johnson dedicated his life to public service. During our time together on the Senate Banking and Housing Comm… Continue Reading
September 18, 2024
Brown: Long Overdue Interest Rate Cut Lowers Costs for Ohioans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs issued the following statement today after the Federal Reserve announced it would start lowering interest rates: “Today’s long overdue action will help bring down housing costs, including high interest rates that are making it unaffordable for families to buy a home. Prices are still far too high - now it’s time for action to address the root cause of inflation: corpo… Continue Reading
September 12, 2024
Brown: Americans Shouldn’t Have to Fight Frauds and Scams Alone
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Protecting Americans’ Money: Combatting Scams and Frauds Against Seniors and Savers.” Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery follow: As we begin, I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Senator Helmy to the Banking and Housing Committee. We’re excited for him to join us, and I l… Continue Reading
September 11, 2024
Brown, Colleagues Urge Fed to Finalize Faster Bank Transfers and Expand to 24/7/365 Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, along with Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and John Fetterman (D-PA) urged Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to finalize a proposed rule expanding the Fed’s settlement services’ operating hours to weekends and holidays, and take additional steps to expand settlement services so Americans can access their money 24 hou… Continue Reading
August 12, 2024
Brown Statement on Reopening of Huntington Buckeye-Shaker Branch in Cleveland
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, issued the following statement on Huntington Bank’s decision to reopen its Buckeye-Shaker branch in Cleveland: “The permanent closure of the Buckeye branch would have left families and small businesses with even fewer choices than before. I’m glad that Huntington listened to the voices of the community and will reopen the Buckeye-Shaker branch. This would not hav… Continue Reading
August 6, 2024
Brown Pushes for Information on Challenges in Home Insurance Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, pressed for information on instability and rising premiums in home insurance markets for far too many Americans. In letters to Federal Insurance Office Director Steven Seitz and Comptroller General of the United States Gene Dodaro, Brown requested a review of the home insurance market to help make sure homeowners have needed coverage. “I have heard of Ohioans and… Continue Reading
July 31, 2024
Brown: Bipartisan Infrastructure Investments are Growing Our Economy
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Long-Term Economic Benefits and Impacts from Federal Infrastructure and Public Transportation Investment.” Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery follow: For too long, too many people in Ohio and across the nation thought, for good reason, that their leaders had given up making our i… Continue Reading
July 26, 2024
Brown Urges Regulators to Put Workers, Customers First in Considering Capital One-Discover Merger
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, urged federal banking regulators to thoroughly consider all aspects of the proposed merger between Capital One and Discover and ensure that this proposed transaction is in the best interests of the families, households, and businesses who deserve a fair financial system. In a letter to Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr and Acting Comptroller Michael… Continue Reading
July 25, 2024
Brown: We Cannot Allow U.S. Innovations and Investments To Be Used Against Us
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “Advancing National Security through Export Controls, Investment Security, and the Defense Production.” Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery follow: We face an uncertain world with many geopolitical challenges - from Russia’s continued brutal invasion of Ukraine, to ongoing conflict… Continue Reading
July 19, 2024
Brown Introduces Bill to Create Antitrust Review Process & Crack Down on Corporate Investors in The Housing Market
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, introduced legislation to increase competition in the housing market by requiring corporations and private equity firms that buy up large numbers of houses and apartments to report those transactions to antitrust enforcers. The Housing Acquisitions Review and Transparency (HART) Act would make it easier to stop anticompetitive transactions that could increase housing costs, decrea… Continue Reading
July 12, 2024
Bipartisan Brown-Braun Bill to Support Veteran Homebuyers Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chair of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), announced Senate passage of their legislation to help inform veteran homebuyers of their eligibility for the VA Home Loan Program, which helps more veterans achieve the dream of homeownership. “This is an important step toward making the dream of homeownership a reality for more military families and veterans. Ohioans who have served o… Continue Reading
July 11, 2024
Brown: These Nominees Will Play An Important Role In The Success and Stability of Our Financial System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered the following opening statement at today’s nominations hearing for the Honorable Christy Goldsmith Romero, of Virginia, to be Chairperson and Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; The Honorable Caroline A. Crenshaw, of the District of Columbia, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange Commission; The Honorabl… Continue Reading
July 9, 2024
Brown to Powell: Keeping Rates Too High Threatens Workers’ Paychecks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, “The Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress.” Sen. Brown’s remarks, as prepared for delivery follow: Welcome Chair Powell. Ohioans know and Americans know that our economy fundamentally is not a fair playing field. Instead, we have a David and Goliath economy, where the largest c… Continue Reading
July 3, 2024
Brown Demands Transparency from Uber and Lyft on Surge Pricing
Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, called for transparency from Uber and Lyft on its use of surge pricing to set fares. In a letter to the CEOs of Uber and Lyft, Brown expressed concern that frequent and opaque price changes and diminishing competition are making ride-hailing services less affordable, and that pricing algorithms enable corporations to charge higher prices in circumstances where consumers have the gre… Continue Reading
July 1, 2024
Brown, Wyden, Baldwin, Fetterman Urge Synapse’s Owners and Partners to Immediately Make Customers’ Deposits Available
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, along with Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and John Fetterman (D-PA) are urging Synapse’s owners and bank and fintech partners to restore customers’ access to their money. Since mid-May, customers who entrusted their money to its fintech and bank partners have been unable to access their money. In a letter to Synapse’s partners and owners, Brown a… Continue Reading
June 17, 2024
Brown Pushes Bank Regulators to Protect Consumers and Communities When Reviewing Mergers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, urged the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to ensure their updated bank merger policies will adequately scrutinize mergers’ effects on consumers and communities. “Last year’s bank failures coupled with an increasing trend towards concentration in the banking industry demonstrate the immediate need for t… Continue Reading
