U.S. Representative John Rose of Tennessee’s 6th District announced the passage of his bill, H.R.2808, known as the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The legislation aims to limit the number of unsolicited calls and messages that consumers receive after applying for a mortgage.
The bill passed by voice vote. Currently, when a consumer applies for mortgage financing, credit bureaus are notified and may sell this information—known as a trigger lead—to data brokers and other lenders without the consumer’s consent. This often results in consumers receiving numerous unwanted solicitations.
In a statement following the bill’s passage, Rep. Rose said: “Buying a home is a fundamental part of the American Dream,” Rep. Rose said. “Unfortunately, the process has become more of a nightmare due to abusive mortgage trigger leads. I want to thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for supporting my bill. It will no doubt benefit millions of Americans.”
The legislation was co-led by Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and had support from more than 80 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. The Senate version was introduced by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Jack Reed (D-RI), passing that chamber last December before being reintroduced in April.
The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit credit reporting bureaus from providing trigger leads unless an individual opts in, while still allowing them under certain limited conditions.
A broad coalition backs the legislation, including groups such as the Independent Community Bankers of America, Mortgage Bankers Association, Tennessee Bankers Association, National Association of Mortgage Brokers, American Bankers Association, and Broker Action Coalition.
John Rose has represented Tennessee’s 6th district in Congress since 2019 after succeeding Diane Black (source). Born in Cookeville in 1965 and currently residing there at age 58 (source), Rose holds degrees from Tennessee Technological University (BS) and Vanderbilt University (JD).
