Statement from Justin Strickland

I’m running for Congress to make life better for ALL Americans. I recently released a video message sharing some of the specific policies I’ll work on in Congress to address the affordability crisis facing regular Americans. You can watch my video by clicking the following link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTYV3i_jjSu.

I’m a new type of leader for NJ-11: I’m not a party-machine politician, I’m not a millionaire, and I don’t accept PAC money. I’m a true grassroots candidate focused on delivering progressive solutions that will make life better for everyone. I’d be honored to earn your vote in the special election primary on February 5th!

Although not many campaigns are discussing the issue, there are many financial practices that we’ve come to accept without understanding them and without questioning them. I’m committed to protecting the people in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District and all Americans from unfair practices carried out by corporate financial institutions.

In Congress, we will introduce legislation to (1) cap APR — the annual interest you pay for money on your credit card — at 15% and (2) eliminate unnecessary fees for checking and savings accounts. These policies will make it easier and faster for everyday-people to pay back debt, and protect Americans from paying banks a tax to simply hold our money (from which they already profit), and make day to day life more affordable for regular people.

Passing legislation that will cap APR at 15% is an immediate action Congress can take to make life better for all Americans. Supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans, capping APR credit card interest rates is an effective way of protecting consumers from predatory financial practices. With flat APR rates regardless of credit score, credit card interest rates were never really about shielding lenders from risk. Instead, financial institutions have used them to prey on consumers unable to pay unexpected expenses, such as a visit to the emergency room or unforeseen car troubles.

Although some states currently enforce limits on credit card interest rates, these vary widely, with some states lacking any restrictions. Not only would imposing a federal APR cap protect consumers from unreasonably high rates, it would also ensure that financial institutions cannot take advantage of lenient laws in certain parts of the country.

I’ll also fight to eliminate fees for checking and savings accounts. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, checking account holders pay an average of $9.87 per month ($118 annually) in fees. These fees disproportionately impact low-income individuals who don’t meet waiver requirements, pushing them into further cycles of poverty that exclude them from the financial system.

For too long, our leaders have ignored the difficulties faced by many Americans who cannot afford excessive interest rates and fees imposed by financial institutions. Congress needs leaders willing to listen and advocate for solutions to these real issues.

We will fight to ensure that no American is taken advantage of by their bank or financial institutions and defend economic liberty and justice for all.

About Justin Strickland:

Justin Strickland is an Army Combat Veteran who served two tours in Iraq – one year as a platoon leader in Baghdad, and another year living with and advising the Iraqi Army in Mosul. He earned a Bronze Star and multiple Army Commendation medals for his service. After the military he served as a federal official in the Pentagon working on economic development in Afghanistan – traveling to the country 16 times. He currently serves as an elected member of the Chatham Borough Council in Morris County. Justin's congressional campaign is guided by his mission to make life better for regular people. He is committed to delivering progressive solutions that lower costs and ensure all Americans have the economic liberty and justice to achieve the American Dream.

Visit Justin’s website: https://www.justinstrickland.com/.