11/17/2022 

Well, it appears that Republicans have won a majority in the House of Representatives by a narrow margin. The Senate is another story with a December run-off in Georgia. 

Regardless, let’s talk about a few Members of Congress who serve on various banking and financial services committees and have been open to listening about our pawn industry challenges and opportunities. 

Representative Patrick McHenry (R) of North Carolina is expected to Chair the House Financial Services Committee. Congressman McHenry is a strong advocate for increased access to banking services and credit for American families and small businesses. He is concerned with helping small businesses maintain a working relationship with banks and pays attention to banking discontinuance notices. Representative McHenry is also not in favor of companies storing consumers data.  

Senator Tim Scott (R) of South Carolina, will continue to sit on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Senator Scott has been a strong advocate for consumer’s access to financial services including pawn. 

Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (R) of Missouri has served on the Financial Services Committee for many years and is an active proponent for small business and consumer access to banking. Representative Luetkemeyer’s door has consistently been open to information of our NPA members’ experiences with bank discontinuance issues. 

There are many Members of Congress on ‘both sides of the aisle’ that we regularly communicate with on issues of importance to pawnbrokers. These efforts are supported by the grassroots work our pawn brothers and sisters do in their respective districts and states.   

The National Pawnbrokers Association Legislative Conference is scheduled for April 18, 2023. Please register and join your fellow pawnbrokers to meet your elected representatives in Washington. Only a pawnbroker can tell a pawnbroker’s story.  We know our customers and their needs. Hope to see you in April! 

NPA Team GRC