Wellstone denounced the legislation during a telephone conference call Tuesday with Minnesota media. Earlier in the day, the Minnesota Democrat held a joint news conference in Washington with several fellow senators in opposition. It will make it difficult for people to rebuild their lives. With bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed differing bills that would force more people declaring bankruptcy to pay part of what they owe, making it harder to dissolve debts. A conference committee is trying work out differences in the bills.
Supporters say the legislation is needed to crack down on abusers of current bankruptcy procedure.
But Wellstone said between 40 percent and 50 percent of those who declare bankruptcy do so because of medical bills. Support for reform is being driven by the notion that bankruptcy has become an easy alternative for excessive debts, Wellstone said. However, he said the number of bankruptcies filed in recent years has been in decline. Filings are down every year. President Clinton has vowed to veto the legislation.