mr. speaker , i rise in strong opposition to s. 256 , legislation that will make it harder for individuals to eliminate their debts after liquidating most of their assets by filing bankruptcy .  thousands of women and their children are affected by the bankruptcy system each year .  this bill will only inflict additional hardship on over a million economically vulnerable women and their families .  in fact , women are the fastest growing group to file for bankruptcy .  more than 1 million women will find themselves in bankruptcy court this year , outnumbering men by about 150 , 000 .  women who lose a job , have a medical emergency , or go through divorce make up more than 90 percent of the women who file for bankruptcy .  this legislation 's means test provision would require even the poorest filers -- struggling single mothers , elderly women who are victims of scam artists -- to meet complicated filing requirements to access the bankruptcy system .  in addition , the bill would make it much harder for women to collect child support payments from men who file for bankruptcy because the bill gives credit card companies , finance companies , auto lenders and other commercial creditors rights to a greater share of the debtor 's income during and after bankruptcy .  this bill pulls the rug out from under economically vulnerable women and children .  it increases the rights of creditors while making it harder for single parents and others facing financial crises .  this harsh bankruptcy reform legislation will not help those families that are struggling to get by .  this bill will do nothing to reduce the number of bankruptcy filings or address the problem of record-high consumer debt .  it is a gift to the credit card and banking industries ; but one that will be paid for by those least able to afford it .  instead of giving a handout to credit card companies , we should ensure that americans losing their jobs or struggling with medical debt have a second chance for economic security .  that is what our bankruptcy laws are intended to provide .  this bill is terrible for consumers , working families and women , and i urge my colleagues to vote against it .  